CHANDIGARH/BHATINDA: The Punjab and Haryana high court instructed Haryana govt Wednesday to dismantle barricades at the Shambhu inter-state border near Ambala within seven days. The barricades, guarded by central forces and Haryana police, were put up in Feb this year to prevent Punjab farmers from entering Haryana during their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march.
Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been leading the farmers’ stir, demanding legal guarantee of MSP.HC also directed Punjab, Haryana and farm unions to maintain law and order. Court allowed Haryana to take “effective measures” if protests got out of hand.
“There is no free flow of transport vehicles or buses, and the diversion can only be used by private vehicles. Public has been put to major inconvenience. The protesters have now dwindled to 400-500… Thus, the lifelines of Punjab are blocked on account of mere apprehension,” Justice G S Sandhawalia said.
HC orders SIT probe into Bathinda farmer’s killing
The court said it would be in public interest for Haryana to open the highway “for all time to come”. HC also ordered an SIT probe, headed by senior Haryana IPS officer Satish Balan, into the Feb 21 killing of Bathinda farmer-activist Shubhkaran Singh, 22, near Khanauri inter-state border.
Haryana govt submitted a forensic science laboratory report on the pellets found in Shubhkaran’s body. Haryana additional advocate general Deepak Sabharwal said the report, submitted in a sealed cover, indicated the pellets were fired from a shotgun at close range, a weapon not used by state police.
HC had on May 28 requested a report from Central Forensic Laboratory in Chandigarh to address concerns about the weapon used and ensure a fair investigation.
The division bench issued these orders while hearing petitions regarding farmers’ protests and blockades, including a PIL filed by advocate Uday Pratap Singh.
The protesters welcomed the HC order, with Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) convener Sarvan Singh Pandher saying: “Our submission has been proved that it is not the farmers who blocked the highway but Haryana and central govt.”
Farmers have decided to seek legal advice before determining their next course of action, with informal discussions likely to begin Thursday. A decision is expected at the July 16 meeting between SKM (Non-Political) and KMM members.
On Tuesday, Punjab govt provided compensation of Rs 1 crore to Shubhkaran’s family and a job to his sister.