Enough is Enough! Well, this is what the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government felt after the state's police carried out major action against protesting farmers blocking Shambhu and Khanauri Border for the past 13 months. In a major late-night action, Punjab Police reached Shambhu & Khanauri Border and dismantled various camps installed at the site. While a few farmers left for home by themselves, many were detained by the Police. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that while while party stands with farmers, the closure of borders are hampering Punjab's economy in a big way.
On Thursday afternoon, one lane of the Shambhu Border was opened by the Punjab Police. The border has been opened for the first time in the past 18 months. Currently, the Police are still clearing the area and removing the makeshift tents, stage, and other things installed at the site. The part of the Shambhu border going from Punjab to Haryana has been opened. DIG Harmanbir Gill said that people can go from here. Now the side going from Ambala to Rajpura is being opened. As per reports, Shambhu Border road will be open for traffic in the next 2-3 days.
What happened after the Punjab Police removed protesting farmers?
After the late-night action, farmers have come on the highways. There are reports of clashes between police and farmers at 4 places. At the same time, the barricading done for 13 months on the Shambhu and Khanauri border is being removed.
On Thursday morning, the police shifted farmer leader Jagjit Dallewal to the PWD Guest House in Jalandhar Cantt from PIMS hospital.
In the meanwhile, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has called an emergency meeting of the cabinet at 7 pm today.
Sarwan Singh Pandher of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Jagjit Singh Dallewal of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) were detained while returning from Chandigarh after the 7th round of talks with the central government.
Punjab business community hails CM Mann for clearing of borders
President of Ludhiana Industry and Trade Forum, Batis Jindal, expressed strong support for the government's decision, stating that the protests had become a prolonged hurdle for businesses. "If 50,000 people can travel to Delhi every day, why couldn't the farmers find an alternative way to protest? Road blockades were increasing transportation expenses and production costs, affecting our industry," Jindal said.
He also highlighted the inconvenience caused to ordinary commuters, who were forced to take longer and more damaged routes, leading to vehicle breakdowns and accidents.