In Punjab’s Mohali district, police detained several prominent farmer leaders following clashes with security personnel. Among those taken into custody were Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal. The detentions occurred as the group was heading to the Shambhu border protest site. They were going there after meeting with a central delegation. This delegation was led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Security forces also cleared the protest sites at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu and Khanauri borders. Makeshift structures set up by the protesting farmers were dismantled, and numerous farmers were detained from these locations. The farmers had been stationed at the borders after being stopped from marching to Delhi to press their demands.
Protest Effecting Economy
Patiala senior police official Nanak Singh stated, “The farmers had been protesting at the Shambhu border for an extended period. In the presence of duty magistrates, we cleared the area after issuing adequate warnings.” He further added that some farmers agreed to return home and were provided transportation. “The road is being cleared to resume traffic. Haryana Police will also take action from their side. No force was needed, as farmers cooperated and boarded the buses on their own,” Singh noted.
Punjab’s Finance Minister, Harpal Singh Cheema, explained that the move aimed to reopen the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. “The farmers’ demands are directed at the central government,” he said. “Their protests should be staged in Delhi or elsewhere. They should not be on Punjab’s roads.”
However, the crackdown faced criticism from several political figures. Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi described the detentions as an “attack” on the agricultural community. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema also condemned the move. He labeled it “undemocratic and unreasonable.” Also accused both the central government and the Punjab state administration of working together against the farmers. He demanded the immediate release of all detained leaders.
The meeting between the farmer representatives and the central delegation ended without resolution. Minister Chouhan, however, described the discussions as taking place in a “very positive environment.”
