Shambhu and Khanauri borders reopen after 13-month standoff; farmers call for ‘Zabardasti Virodh Diwas’
PTC Web Desk: After the reopening of the Shambhu border, vehicular movement at Khanauri border also resumed on Friday after 4 pm. Now, smooth traffic movement is being witnessed on the Delhi-Patiala National Highway. The removal of barricades and farmers' tractors had been underway since Thursday.
Due to the border closure, commuters were forced to take alternative routes, leading to travel of extra 10 km. The reopening of the border has now eased transportation issues, bringing much needed relief for daily travellers.
On the other hand, farmers are strongly opposing the Punjab Government's move to forcibly remove them from protest sites. The state government had on Friday invited the Punjab chapter of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU-Ugrahan) to a meeting in Chandigarh at 7 PM. However, both SKM and BKU-Ugrahan declined the invitation, stating that discussions would only take place once their detained members were released.
The SKM has also declared March 28 as 'Zabardasti Virodh Diwas' (Forced Eviction Protest Day), during which protesters plan to submit memorandums to district commissioners (DCs) across Punjab.
BKU-Ugrahan leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan expressed concerns over the detained farmers, stating, "We don’t even know how many farmers have been arrested at Shambhu and Khanauri Borders or their whereabouts. Under such circumstances, we cannot participate in any meeting."
The Punjab Government's decision to remove farmers from protest sites led to an uproar in the state Assembly during the Budget session. On Friday, Congress legislators staged a walkout while Governor Gulab Chand Kataria continued his address.
The Shambhu border, which was partially reopened on Thursday, is now fully operational. The protest had kept both the Shambhu and Khanauri Borders closed for over 13 months, causing severe inconvenience to commuters travelling from Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.
As part of the crackdown, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) convener Sarwan Singh Pandher and 101 other farmers were sent to Patiala Central Jail. Meanwhile, Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) leader jagjit Singh Dallewal, who had been on a hunger strike, refused medical treatment. He is currently under the supervision of a medical team at a rest house in Jalandhar Cantonment.
Protest standoff: A recap
Farmers from Punjab began their march toward Delhi on February 12, 2024, demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops. However, they were stopped at the Shambhu and Khanauri Borders by the Haryana Police, which resorted to firing tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. Angered by the police action, the farmers staged sit-in protests, refusing to retreat.
To prevent further escalation, the Haryana police beefed up security measures by installing cement barricades. In response, farmers on the Punjab side built temporary sheds and continued their protests. Paramilitary forces were deployed to maintain law and order.
Four failed attempts to march to Delhi
Despite multiple attempts, farmers were unable to advance toward Delhi due to heightened security. The Central Government engaged in talks with farmer leaders, but four rounds of negotiations—held on February 8, 12, 15, and 18—failed to yield any resolution. As a result, farmers announced an indefinite protest at the borders, following which the Central Government withdrew from negotiations.
Between December 2024 and February 2025, farmers made four attempts to march toward Delhi, each time facing strong resistance from Haryana Police, who used tear gas shells to disperse them.
Battle reaches Supreme Court
The Shambhu Border blockade prompted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which directed the authorities to reopen the border within a month. However, the Haryana government challenged the ruling in the Supreme Court. In response, the Supreme Court formed a committee to mediate between the Central Government and the protesting farmers.
Meanwhile, Jagjit Singh Dallewal continued his hunger strike, prompting the Central Government to reinitiate talks with farmer leaders. Despite discussions held in Chandigarh on February 14 and 22, no consensus was reached as farmers remained firm on their demand for an MSP law.
The prolonged border blockade led to significant economic losses for Punjab’s traders and businesses, increasing pressure on the state government to facilitate reopening. After multiple failed attempts to convince the farmers, the Punjab Fovernment decided to forcibly clear the protest sites.
The police reportedly finalised the plan 72 hours in advance, selecting March 19 as the day for action. Coincidentally, this was the same day central ministers were scheduled to meet farmer leaders in Chandigarh.
On March 19, the Central Government’s meeting with farmer leaders lasted from 11 am to 3 PM. While returning to Shambhu Border, Sarwan Singh Pandher was detained near Mohali’s Airport Road, and Jagjit Singh Dallewal was intercepted in Sangrur while traveling in an ambulance.
As soon as key farmer leaders were in custody, the Punjab Police swiftly began clearing the Khanauri and Shambhu protest sites, detaining those who resisted.
Border reopening after 10 hrs of operation
Following the Punjab Police operation, the Haryana Police took action on March 20. By 8.30 am, law enforcement agencies arrived with bulldozers to dismantle the barricades. By 1.30 pm, the Patiala-Ambala stretch was reopened, and by 6 pm, both lanes at the Shambhu Border were fully operational.
Simultaneously, the Haryana Police dismantled barriers at Khanauri Border, but vehicular movement was delayed due to the presence of farmers' tractors on the Punjab side. However, traffic has now resumed, bringing relief to commuters who had been facing prolonged disruptions.
- PTC NEWS
