The Punjab and Haryana High Court has mandated the reopening of the Shambhu border within a week, issuing this directive to the Haryana government. This order comes in response to a petition filed in the High Court regarding the ongoing blockade. The Court instructed the Haryana government to clear the road and remove the barricades that have been in place since February 13 due to the farmers’ protests at the Shambhu border.
The High Court emphasized that the situation at the Shambhu border is peaceful and noted that the farmers’ demands are directed at the central government. Therefore, they should be permitted to proceed towards Delhi. During the hearing, the Haryana government expressed concerns that removing the barricades might lead to the farmers entering Ambala and surrounding the SP office. The High Court responded by stating that law enforcement should not panic, and in a democracy, farmers cannot be prevented from entering or surrounding Haryana.
The Shambhu border has been closed for the past five months, with Haryana Police establishing seven layers of barricades to prevent farmers from Punjab from advancing.
In response to the High Court’s order, farmer leader Manjit Rai stated that while they have not yet received a copy of the order, they welcome the decision. He added that the farmers do not wish to remain at the Shambhu border but intend to go to Delhi. A meeting will be held to decide the next course of action and announce their subsequent plans.