Punjab Government Clears Shambhu and Khanauri Borders, Removing Farmers. Traffic Resumes; Minister Harpal Cheema Urges Farmers to Protest in Delhi.
Shambhu Border Open: Following a 13-month-long farmers' protest in Punjab, the state government has finally removed farmers from the Shambhu and Khanauri border points. Police action, which began late Wednesday night, continued into Thursday. Police demolished structures and sheds at the Shambhu border, opening one side of the road. Subsequently, vehicular movement on the highway has resumed.
Traffic Resumes
Patiala's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Nanak Singh, reported on Thursday that roads have been reopened for travel and traffic flow is returning to normal. He stated that traffic should be completely normalized across all roads within the next 3-4 hours.
Farmers Protest in Karnal
Following the removal of farmers from the Shambhu border by Punjab Police, farmers led by the All India Kisan Sabha and the Bharatiya Kisan Union organized a protest march towards the residence of Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini in Karnal, Haryana. This march was a demonstration against the police action taken against farmers at the Punjab-Haryana border.
Harpal Singh Cheema's Statement
Reacting to the police action, Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that the move was undertaken to clear the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. He urged farmers to direct their demands towards the central government in Delhi or elsewhere, emphasizing that the Punjab government and its people had consistently supported the farmers. Cheema added that the long closure of the borders had caused distress to Punjab's businesses and youth, and that reopening them would improve trade and create employment opportunities for young people.
