Farmer leaders Dallewal and Pandher detained amid heavy police deployment at Shambhu

Two farmer leaders — Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal — were detained while they were en route from Chandigarh to the Shambhu border, official sources confirmed. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike since November last year, is likely to be hospitalised.

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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. Sources indicate that further action is expected soon at Shambhu and Khanauri borders.

Pandher has been taken to Bahadurgarh Fort Commando Police Training Centre in Patiala. The centre has been transformed into a makeshift detention center, as a majority of farmer leaders and protesting farm women, except Dallewal, are being apprehended and taken to the complex.

Meanwhile, reacting to farmers' protest, talks between police and farmers have begun at the Khanauri border, as per sources.

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema says 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, has stated that the closure of highways has resulted in massive losses for the state. "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 has strongly condemned the actions of both the central BJP government and AAP government in the state, accusing them of betraying and backstabbing farmers. He questioned the need for the Punjab Police to arrest farmer leaders while negotiations were already underway between the central government and farmers. Raja Warring 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.

SSPs from districts like Sangrur, Barnala, and Malerkotla have been dispatched to the Khanauri border to oversee the ongoing operation. Meanwhile, farmers have started gathering at both Khanauri and Shambhu borders.

A massive police deployment has been made near Shambhu, sparking speculation that authorities may attempt to clear the protest site. Over 1,000 police personnel have been stationed in the area, along with more than 25 ambulances and 50 buses near Bapror village, just 6 km from Shambhu. Around 500 farmers are reportedly at the Khanauri border morcha.

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.

At Shambhu, farmers are positioning trollies on the highway to prevent police from advancing towards the Shambhu border. A farmer leader revealed that most of the leaders who attended the meeting in Chandigarh have been taken into custody.

Also, the Internet service has been suspended in many areas around the Shambhu border and heavy police force has been deployed seen in nearby villages. A senior police official confirmed that they had been briefed to stay put at Shambhu. He said ambulances and even riot-control vehicles had also been stationed in the area.

A police officer said further directions were awaited. “We were asked to report at specific points and we are waiting for further directions. Even we are not clear if we have been positioned to disperse protesters,” said the SP-level officer. Tractors with towing hooks have been stationed near the police post at Shambhu.

Meanwhile, farmers, who were not part of the delegation that visited Chandigarh for a dialogue with the Centre, are gathering in the area.

Additional forces have also been asked to remain vigilant near Banur, 15 km from Shambhu. Vehicles are being stopped by the police near Banaur and commuters are being asked where they are heading.

On the other hand, the situation is calm at Khanauri border. Routine announcements are being made at Khanauri.