700 Farmers Arrested as Shambhu, Khanauri Protest Sites are Dismantled
- India South Asia
Shreya Naskar- 0
- 3 minutes read
On March 19, 2025, a significant police operation unfolded at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders between Punjab and Haryana, leading to the detention of approximately 700 farmers and the dismantling of longstanding protest sites. This decisive action marked a pivotal moment in the prolonged standoff between the farmers and the government over agricultural policies. The farmers’ protests initially gained momentum in November 2020, when the Indian government introduced three controversial agricultural laws aimed at modernizing the farming sector. While the government argued that these laws would benefit farmers by providing better market access, the farming community—particularly in Punjab and Haryana—opposed them, fearing they would dismantle the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system and pave the way for increased corporate control over agriculture. The protests, which led to a historic year-long sit-in at Delhi’s borders, resulted in the eventual repeal of the laws in November 2021. However, farmers continued to demand legal guarantees on MSP, loan waivers, and compensation for those affected by prolonged protests. Over time, new demands emerged, including pension schemes and the withdrawal of cases filed against protesting farmers.
Over the past year, the Shambhu and Khanauri border sites evolved into semi-permanent settlements, complete with tents, makeshift kitchens, and stages for continuous demonstrations. Farmers stationed there continued to push their demands, refusing to leave until concrete assurances were given by the government. Despite multiple rounds of negotiations between farmer leaders and government officials, the deadlock persisted. This prolonged impasse caused significant disruptions in transportation and logistics, prompting industrialists to express concerns over financial losses due to the closure of key transit routes. Many businesses in Punjab and Haryana suffered setbacks, and supply chains for essential goods were impacted. In the early hours of March 19, 2025, Punjab Police, in coordination with Haryana Police, launched a coordinated operation to dismantle the protest sites. A heavy deployment of police personnel was seen at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, with law enforcement using barricades, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse the protesting farmers. The operation involved the removal of barricades, tents, and other installations that had obstructed the highways for over a year. Bulldozers were deployed to clear the debris, and authorities reopened the highways for vehicular movement. Despite the presence of security personnel, tensions escalated as farmers resisted the crackdown, leading to scuffles between protestors and police. Additional Deputy Commissioner Sukhchain Singh issued warnings to the protesters, instructing them to vacate the premises within ten minutes. Upon non-compliance, approximately 700 farmers, including prominent leaders, were detained and taken to various police stations for questioning. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema defended the police action, stating that while the government respects the right to protest, it must also ensure that highways and trade routes remain operational. He highlighted the economic losses suffered due to prolonged blockades and emphasized that farmers should take their protests directly to Delhi rather than blocking key transit routes in Punjab and Haryana. The government has maintained that many of the farmers’ demands have already been met and that prolonged protests were unnecessary. Officials have urged protestors to engage in dialogue rather than resorting to indefinite sit-ins that disrupt public life.