New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) The Punjab Government on Friday informed the Supreme Court that it has removed protesting farmers from the Shambhu and Khanauri borders near Haryana, ensuring free movement on the National Highway.
Advocate General of Punjab, Gurminder Singh, apprised a Bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh that veteran farmers’ leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal ended his hunger strike, which began in November last year.
“Mr. Dallewal accepted water today and broke his fast,” AG Singh told the Court.
The Bench refused to entertain a contempt petition filed against Punjab authorities for allegedly violating a Supreme Court status quo order by clearing the protesters. The Court clarified that it had consistently urged the government to reopen the highway.
“We have been telling them to open the highway. The contempt petition is misconceived,” Justice Kant remarked while addressing Advocate Angrej Singh, who represented the contempt petitioner. Consequently, the petitioner chose to withdraw the contempt plea.
Additionally, the Court dropped the contempt proceedings initiated earlier against the Punjab Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) for not hospitalising Dallewal during his hunger strike.
The Supreme Court directed the High-Powered Committee, formed to mediate between the government and protesting farmers, to submit its supplementary report on the matter.
Earlier, the Court had adjourned proceedings after being informed that discussions between the protesting farmers and the Union Government were ongoing.
In January, a breakthrough was achieved when the farmers agreed to meet Justice (Retired) Nawab Singh, Chairperson of the High-Powered Committee, to negotiate their demands.
On January 22, the Court was informed that Dallewal had accepted medical intervention after talks were initiated regarding the farmers’ demands, including statutory protection for the Minimum Support Price (MSP). As his health deteriorated, he was ordered to be shifted to a medical facility.
The farmers began their protest in February last year, demanding legal assurances for MSP. The Haryana Government had blocked National Highway borders to prevent the march of farmers toward Delhi, prompting them to camp at the borders.
Last year, the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the Haryana Government to unblock the Shambhu border, a decision that led the state to approach the Supreme Court for relief.
