The Supreme Court on Monday instructed the police chiefs of Punjab and Haryana to convene a meeting with the Superintendents of Police (SPs) from the neighboring districts of Patiala and Ambala within a week. The goal of the meeting is to discuss the partial reopening of the highway at the Shambhu border, where farmers have been staging a protest since February 13.
The court urged the Punjab government to encourage the protesting farmers at the Shambhu border to clear their tractors from the road, emphasizing that highways are not intended for parking.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan commended the governments of Punjab and Haryana for proposing unbiased individuals to form a committee that will engage in discussions with the protesting farmers.
The bench highlighted the necessity of partially reopening the Shambhu border road to allow the passage of ambulances, essential services, senior citizens, women, girl students, and local commuters from nearby areas.
“We will issue a concise order regarding the formation of a panel to negotiate with the protesting farmers at the Shambhu border,” the bench stated.
Previously, the Supreme Court had requested the Punjab and Haryana governments to suggest neutral figures for an independent committee to mediate with the farmers, who are demanding legal assurances of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops. The court emphasized that the situation should not be escalated.
The hearing was in response to a plea from the Haryana government challenging an order from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The order required the removal of barricades within a week at the Shambhu border near Ambala, where farmers have been protesting since February 13. The Haryana government had placed these barricades on the Ambala-New Delhi national highway in February after the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha declared plans for a march to Delhi in support of their demands.
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