Traffic has resumed on the Shambhu-Ambala highway (NH-19) after 400 days of blockades by farmers from the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Police and civil administration officials from Punjab and Haryana cleared the road on Thursday evening. Authorities are also working to reopen the Khanauri border point (NH-52) by Friday evening, as they aim to clear hundreds of tractor-trailers parked there, according to Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Rishi.
This development follows a crackdown by the Punjab Police on protesting farmers, resulting in the detention of over 400 individuals. Most detainees were taken to jails in Patiala, Nabha, Sangrur, and Mansa, although around 160 farmers were released later that evening. Despite calls for nationwide protests against the police action, participation remained low, with attempts to block highways and march to Deputy Commissioner offices largely unsuccessful. A minor scuffle occurred at Bughipura Chowk in Moga, and hundreds of farmers were detained in various districts, including Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar, Malout, Fazilka, Sangrur, Ferozepur, and Tarn Taran.
Various farmer unions, including the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan), BKU (Dakaunda Dhaner), and Kirti Kisan Union, held protests at several locations. Rajinder Singh Deepsinghwala from the Kirti Kisan Union warned that government repression could have political repercussions. Notably, key farm union leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal was detained after a meeting with central ministers in Chandigarh. His supporters claimed he has refused medical aid and stopped consuming water.
Farmers have been protesting at the borders since February 13 of last year when the Nayab Singh Saini government erected concrete barricades to prevent their march to Delhi. The lifting of the blockade has relieved traders and industrialists from Ludhiana and Jalandhar, who reported daily losses of around Rs 1,000 crore during the protests.
Politically, the government’s crackdown has sparked strong reactions. The Congress party accused the government of heavy-handedness, while BJP state chief Sunil Jakhar criticized both Congress and AAP for allegedly exploiting farmers for political gain. AAP ministers expressed support for farmers but stressed the importance of protecting Punjab’s economy, accusing Congress of political opportunism and urging farmers to direct their protests against the BJP-led central government.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to assess public support for the farmers’ movement.
Be the first to comment