Farmers' protest: Security heightened at Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border

Security has been heightened along the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border as Haryana Police Thursday used bulldozers to remove concrete barricades to restrict farmers' movement further towards Delhi from the spot they were sitting on a protest over various demands.

Punjab Police on Wednesday evening drove away farmers from protesting site. Post the action, Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Nanak Singh had stated that the entire road would be cleared and opened for traffic.

Speaking to ANI, Singh said they did not use any force as protesting farmers cooperated with them.

"Farmers had been protesting at the Shambhu Border for a long time. Today, in the presence of Duty Magistrates, Police cleared the area after they were given proper warning. A few people showed a willingness to go home. So, they were sent home on a bus. In addition, the structures and vehicles here are being moved. The entire road will be cleared and opened for traffic," he said.

"Haryana Police will also begin their action. Once it opens from their side, the movement on the highway will resume. We did not need to use any force because there was no resistance. Farmers cooperated well and they sat in buses by themselves," he added.

Numerous farmer leaders including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fast, and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarvan Singh Pandher were detained by the Police.

Farmer leader and national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Rakesh Tikait condemned the Punjab government's action.

"In the ongoing agitation on the border of Punjab, on one hand the government is negotiating with the farmer organizations and on the other hand it is arresting them. We strongly condemn the action of the Punjab government and all the farmer organizations are ready for every struggle," Tikait posted on X.

Former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi claimed that farmers were being attacked as part of a conspiracy.

"Not just Punjab but the entire farming community is facing a big attack today. A meeting was held today (in Chandigarh) in which it was decided that the next round of talks would be held on May 4 but they (farmers) were attacked from behind and deceived. The road has been blocked by the government, not by the farmers. They (farmers) want to come to Delhi," Channi said.

BJP leader Fatehjung Singh Bajwa emphasised that his party is standing with the farmers and AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann "played with farmers".

"The central government has sent its team of ministers to hold talks with the farmers but the businessmen of Ludhiana West said that they wouldn't vote for them (AAP) as all the roads are closed. To ensure the Rajya Sabha seat for Arvind Kejriwal and win the Ludhiana West by-election, they have detained Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarvan Singh Pandher. BJP is with the farmers of Punjab but Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal played with farmers," Bajwa told ANI.

(With ANI inputs)