The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
HC orders Haryana to open Shambhu border within 7 days on ‘ experimental basis’
THE PUNJAB and Haryana High Court Wednesday directed the Haryana government to remove within a week on an experimental basis the barricades set up at the Shambhu border where farmers have been camping since February 13 when their ‘ Dilli Chalo’ march was stopped. Due to barricading, the border with Patiala on Punjab side and Ambala on Haryana side, has remained closed for traffic.
“On experimental basis, we direct the State of Haryana that at least the barricade at Shambhu border should be opened up within a week so that general public is not put to inconvenience. It is also open to the State of Haryana to take effective steps to enforce the law and order against the protesters if they do not remain within their limits which have been set down by the State,” said a bench of Justices GS Sandhawalia and Vikas Bahl.
The bench said that endeavour should be made by both the states ( Punjab and Haryana) that Shambhu border “is restored to its original glory and open to one and all and that the law and order is maintained for the convenience of the public”.
“It is made clear that Punjab shall also remove any obstruction( s) on the highway to ensure free flow of traffic,” the bench said and asked the farmer unions to ensure they abide by the law.
The bench was hearing a PIL filed in February by one Uday Pratap Singh of Haryana seeking directions to stay all obstructive actions by the government of the Haryana and the Centre against the farmers’ protest.
Meanwhile, the farmers camping at the Shambhu border called a meeting on July 16 to discuss the matter and future course of action.
The Haryana government had set up barricades at the AmbalaNew Delhi national highway in February after Samyukta Kisan Morcha ( Non- Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha ( KMM) announced a ‘ Dilli Chalo’ march in support of various demands, including a legal guarantee to minimum support price ( MSP) for crops, and farm loan waiver. The farmers have been staying put at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13 after their march was stopped by the security forces.
On Wednesday, Haryana's Additional Advocate General Deepak Sabherwal argued that 400- 450 protesters are still sitting on the Punjab side of the highway, and they may enter Ambala and conduct a gherao at the SP’S office. The bench, however, observed, "Men in uniform cannot be scared of them... We are living in a democracy; farmers cannot be stopped from entering Haryana”.
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