The Shambhu and Khanauri protest sites have been cleared following bulldozer action by the police, and warning has been issued to farmers.
More than 300 protesting farmers, including farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, were detained following the third round of meeting with the central delegation in Chandigarh, as per sources. Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike since November last year, was hospitalised.
The decision to take action against the protesting farmer unions was reportedly made on Monday night, following a meeting between top AAP functionaries and industrialists. The industrialists expressed concerns that the protests were incurring significant costs.
Pandher was detained after being picked up from the Zirakpur barrier. Meanwhile, Dallewal, Kaka Singh Kotra, and Abhimanyu Kohar were apprehended near Bestech Mall in Mohali.
Pandher has been taken to Bahadurgarh Fort Commando Police Training Centre in Patiala. The centre has been transformed into a makeshift detention center, as over 200 protesting farmers, except Dallewal, have been apprehended and taken to the complex.
Reacting to the police action, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said that the step was necessitated for the economic growth of the state. It is important that we fight against unemployment too, he added.
Punjab Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, who heads the Industry ministry, said, "Our government has always supported farmers, but the state has incurred significant losses. Highways are crucial for business and employment," he emphasised.
Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Bittu has strongly condemned the police crackdown on farmers. Former chief minister and MP Charanjit Singh Channi stated that the AAP government succumbed to pressure from the BJP-led central government and took action against the farmers.
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring questioned the need for the Punjab Police to arrest farmer leaders while negotiations were already underway between the central government and farmers. He also raised suspicions about the timing of the crackdown, suggesting it might be an attempt to divert public attention from the recent incident in Patiala, where 12 Punjab Police officers were involved in the brutal manhandling of a serving colonel, sparking widespread outrage and demands for accountability.
Shambhu and Khanauri protest sites cleared
March 19, 2025 10:11 pm
SSP Nanak Singh stated that the Shambhu and Khanauri protest sites have been cleared in the presence of a duty magistrate, following a proper warning. The roads will be cleared and opened for traffic. Structures are being removed, and traffic will resume soon. Farmers cooperated and showed no resistance; those wishing to return home were sent back in buses. Additionally, the Haryana Police will initiate action to remove the barricades.
Police officials unavailable for comment as senior officers went incommunicado
March 19, 2025 9:58 pm
Over 5,000 police personnel have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points
March 19, 2025 9:51 pm
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu spoke with Haryana CM to clear roadblock from state
March 19, 2025 9:47 pm
Bulldozer action underway at Shambhu and Khanauri to remove tents and stages
March 19, 2025 8:29 pm
Two AIGs and four SP ranked officers have been assigned to monitor the situation at Shambhu
March 19, 2025 8:25 pm
Two AIGs and four SP ranked officers, accompanied by over a dozen inspectors, have been assigned to monitor the situation at Shambhu. Despite the heavy police presence, farmers remain resolute in their refusal to vacate the site, chanting slogans against the Punjab Government and accusing it of siding with a particular lobby to undermine the protest.
Internet service has been suspended in many areas around the Shambhu border
March 19, 2025 8:22 pm
The Internet service has been suspended in many areas around the Shambhu border and heavy police force has been deployed seen in nearby villages.
The Civil Surgeon of Sangrur has alerted medical officers across all districts to remain on high alert tonight
March 19, 2025 8:19 pm
The national highway at the Shambhu border is being cleared to resume traffic flow
March 19, 2025 8:15 pm
The National Highway at the Shambhu border, which was blocked since February 13, 2024, is being cleared to resume traffic flow. Meanwhile, the process of clearing the trollies parked at the Khanauri border is also underway.
Police personnel are dismantling the stage and tent city at the Shambhu border
March 19, 2025 8:15 pm
Mild cane charge took place at the Khanauri border
March 19, 2025 8:13 pm
A combing operation, supervised by DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu, has been launched at the Khanauri border. Police personnel are visiting each tent, detaining any farmers found inside. The operation has resulted in the detention of over 200 farmers from the Khanauri border thus far.
