High court directs Haryana government to open Shambhu border in 7 days

In February, the Haryana government set up barricades on the Ambala-New Delhi highway when the SKM and KMM announced they would march to Delhi.

Published on: Jul 10, 2024, 18:13:19 IST

By HT News Desk

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The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday directed the Haryana government to remove the barricades at the Shambhu border near Ambala within a week. Farmers have been camping there since February 13 when their 'Delhi Chalo' march was halted.

Farmers have scheduled a meeting on July 16 to discuss the matter, PTI reported. (HT/File)

In February, the Haryana government set up barricades on the Ambala-New Delhi highway when the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) announced they would march to Delhi. They were protesting for various demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP) for crops.

The orders came on a group of petitions about farmer issues and against the blockade. The directions were issued by a division bench of justices G S Sandhawalia and Vikas Bahl. Farmers have scheduled a meeting on July 16 to discuss the matter, PTI reported.

Read Here | Farmers’ protest 2.0: New vanguards emerge as veterans pushed to margins

Haryana Additional Advocate General Deepak Sabherwal told the media after the hearing that the court instructed the Haryana government to remove the barricades within seven days.

The court also stated that if any law and order issues come up, the government could take preventive measures as per the law. Similar instructions were given to the Punjab government to maintain law and order, and any barricades on the Punjab side should also be removed. The orders are to open the highway, Sabherwal said as per PTI.

Since February 13, farmers have been camped at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana after security forces stopped their march. On February 21, Shubhkaran from Bathinda was killed, and many police officers were injured in clashes at the Khanauri border. The incident happened when some farmers tried to move past the barricades, and security personnel stopped them from crossing the state border to march to Delhi.

Read Here: Why are thousands of farmers protesting in Delhi again?

“We (Haryana) had said the barricading had been put up since February 10, which was to maintain law and order. The farmers are sitting on Punjab's side. Their number at present is about 400-500,” Sabherwal said.

Meanwhile, responding to the court order, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said they have scheduled a meeting for both groups. “SKM (Non-Political) and KMM — on July 16 to discuss the future course of action. We had earlier made it clear that we had not blocked the road. The barricades had been done by the Centre and Haryana government,” it said.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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