Punjab Police Clear Protest Sites, Internet Suspended in 2 Districts

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Police have dismantled the temporary structures set up by farmers at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders following concerns raised by farmer leader Gurmanjit Singh Mangat about potential removal of protesters from these sites. The Punjab-Haryana border has seen heavy police deployment, with personnel from multiple districts stationed near the protest locations. Farmer leaders such as Pandher, Dallewal and Kohar, among others have been taken into custody during the operation.

As part of the ongoing efforts barricading operations are underway on the Shambhu-Khanauri stretch with expectations that the highway will be reopened to the public within two to three days. Meanwhile internet services have been completely suspended in the districts of Patiala and Sangrur as tensions escalate.

Discussions have been held in Chandigarh regarding the farmers’ demands with the next meeting scheduled for May 4. Despite the ongoing operation tensions between the farmers and the administration are likely to rise and the situation remains under close scrutiny. The protests which have been ongoing since February of last year are organized by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.