In a significant move aimed at easing tensions and restoring mobility, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the Directors General of Police (DGPs) of Punjab and Haryana to convene a meeting within a week. This meeting, also involving the Superintendents of Police (SPs) of the adjoining districts of Patiala and Ambala, aims to discuss the partial reopening of the highway at the Shambhu border, a site of ongoing farmer protests since February 13.
The apex court’s directive comes in response to the persistent blockade caused by protesting farmers, who have been camping at the Shambhu border demanding measures like a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce. The road closure has significantly disrupted traffic and daily commutes, prompting this judicial intervention.
Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, presiding over the bench, urged the Punjab government to negotiate with the protestors to clear tractors and other obstructions from the highway, emphasizing that “highways are not parking spaces.” The court underscored the necessity of reopening the road to ensure the smooth passage of ambulances, essential services, and to facilitate travel for senior citizens, women, and girl students.
The bench also lauded the governments of Punjab and Haryana for their cooperative approach in proposing apolitical individuals to form a committee tasked with negotiating with the farmers. This committee is expected to address the concerns of the protestors constructively while ensuring that the needs of the local commuters are not sidelined.
Furthermore, the court announced its intention to issue a detailed order specifying the terms for the committee responsible for dialogues with the farmers at the Shambhu border.
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This directive follows a previous plea by the Haryana government challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that mandated the removal of barricades set up by Haryana at the Shambhu border.
