Farmers Announce Dharna After Police Crackdown at Shambhu Border
SHAMBHU BORDER, India, March 20 – Farmers have announced a dharna (sit-in protest) following a police crackdown at the Shambhu border, where authorities evicted demonstrators and removed barricades on Thursday morning.
Haryana security personnel began dismantling cemented barriers that had been erected to prevent Punjab farmers from marching toward Delhi, officials said. Security has been tightened at the Haryana-Punjab border as tensions remain high.
Several farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite hunger strike, and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarvan Singh Pandher, were detained by police. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait condemned the Punjab government’s actions, calling for the release of detained leaders and a resolution to farmers’ demands.
The seventh round of negotiations between farmer leaders and central government officials concluded on Wednesday, with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announcing the next meeting on May 4.
The protest site at the Shambhu border, which had been occupied by farmers for over a year, was cleared following Wednesday’s police action. Temporary structures and trolleys that had provided shelter to protesters were demolished using JCB machines, paving the way for resumption of traffic along the Shambhu-Ambala highway.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sandeep Pathak stated that only the central government has the authority to address farmers’ demands. “Blocking roads in Punjab will only harm the farmers. Small traders are facing difficulties, and the Punjab government is ready to discuss state-related issues. However, major demands should be directed at the Centre,” Pathak told ANI.
The protests, which began as a movement for minimum support price (MSP) guarantees and other agricultural reforms, continue to be a key political issue ahead of upcoming elections.
