In a significant escalation of tensions, Punjab Police have begun forcibly removing farmers who have been protesting at the Shambhu border for over a year. These farmers, advocating for a minimum support price (MSP) among other demands, witnessed their temporary shelters demolished by police using heavy machinery on March 19, 2025. The long-standing protests, which started on February 13, 2023, have drawn attention to the complex issues surrounding agricultural policies in India.
Reports indicate that during the police operation, prominent farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher, were detained. The police action has resulted in clashes between farmers and security forces, particularly as farmers were marching towards the Khanauri and Shambhu borders. As many as 3000 police personnel were deployed in a show of force, with additional barriers set up to control the movement of the protesters.
Farmers have been demanding legal guarantees for MSPs as well as other issues affecting their livelihoods. Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema explained the government’s rationale for these actions, emphasizing the need to reopen crucial highways that have been blocked due to the protests, which he said are affecting trade and economic activities. He stated, “We want the youth of Punjab to find jobs, and industries must operate smoothly.”
The police operation involved removing shelters constructed by the farmers and has resulted in the suspension of internet services in the areas surrounding the Khanauri border and parts of the Patiala and Sangrur districts to prevent the mobilization of more protesters. The authorities justified this action as necessary for maintaining order, stating that farmers had previously been warned to vacate the protest sites.
SSP Nanak Singh of Patiala affirmed that police were following due procedure: “Farmers have been protesting at Shambhu border for a long time. Today, the area was cleared after giving them sufficient warning; some people expressed a desire to go home and were sent back in buses.” He further elaborated that the region would be opened for traffic as soon as feasible.
Despite the government's claims of maintaining peaceful operations, opposition parties in Punjab have criticized the handling of the situation. Former Congress MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring condemned both the central and state governments, accusing them of trying to dismantle farmer unity: “The government is systematically isolating the farmers and has deceived them regarding their demands.” Harsimrat Kaur Badal, of the Shiromani Akali Dal, accused Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann of not keeping his promises made during the election campaign, alleging that he has lost his mental balance in dealing with farmers' concerns.
This crackdown occurred after a meeting between farmer representatives and central government officials, which ended without a clear resolution to the ongoing issues. After the meeting, the farmers were heading back to the protest site in Mohali when they were intercepted and detained. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was present at the meeting, noted that while discussions were constructive, further talks have been scheduled for May 4, 2025.
In addition to the immediate concerns, Punjab’s farmers echo sentiments of growing frustration over being sidelined during discussions about agricultural reforms which affect their livelihoods. Farmers have accused the AAP government of neglecting their issues while aiming to appease political interests ahead of upcoming elections. This discontent has led to a renewed rallying cry among the farming community for unity during these turbulent times.
The already tense situation has prompted further confrontations, as farmers resist the police efforts to clear them from the vicinity. Demonstrators have erected barriers using tractors and have clashed with police forces. Local media has reported widespread unrest in the regions surrounding the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, further complicating the relationship between farmers, the state, and national government.
This series of events serves as a potential flashpoint in Punjab. The farmers' sustained protests represent a larger struggle that resonates with agricultural communities across India, reflecting deeper systemic issues in food policy and farming economics. As the situation evolves, many observers fear that further escalations could lead to even more significant unrest within the region. The actions taken by Punjab Police on this day mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict over farmers' rights and the political landscape surrounding agricultural policies.
