The Punjab and Haryana High Court today ordered the Haryana government to remove the barricades at the Shambhu border within a week. Hundreds of farmers have been camping since February 13, after their Delhi Chalo march was halted.
The order by Justices GS Sandhawalia and Vikas Bahl came after the bench resumed hearing on various petitions related to farmer issues and against the blockade.
The court said that men in uniform can’t be scared and in democracy farmers cannot be stopped to enter Haryana or do gherao while noting that the closure is causing great inconvenience to the general public.
Before ordering the removal of barricades, the bench asked about the number of farmers present at the Ambala and Patiala district borders. Upon learning that approximately 400-450 farmers remain, the court instructed the immediate removal of barricades, trusting security agencies to maintain law and order.
The court directed the Punjab government to cooperate with its Haryana counterpart in managing the situation.
Farmers’ organisations were instructed to ensure peaceful conduct once the barricades are removed, and that protests should be conducted with proper permissions at designated locations approved by authorities.
Meanwhile, farmers continue to camp at the Khanauri border near Jind on the Punjab border, though no specific court orders have been issued regarding that location. The farmers have remained at these sites since February 13, when they were initially halted.
Violence erupted on February 21 at both protest sites as farmers attempted unsuccessfully to breach barricades and march towards Delhi to press their demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP). The clashes resulted in injuries to numerous security personnel and protesters, with one 21-year-old farmer losing his life during the incidents. A panel led by a retired high court judge is investigating the incident.
The farmers have also been advocating for the implementation of recommendations from the Swaminathan Commission.
