The petition, filed by a social activist from Punjab, urges the Court to direct the Centre and relevant authorities to lift the restrictions on the farmers’ protests and ensure that national highways and railway tracks are not obstructed by the agitating farmers.
![[Farmers’ Protest] Supreme Court to Hear Petition for Reopening of Shambhu Border Today(Dec 9)](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SURYA-KANT.jpg?resize=820%2C461&ssl=1)
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition today (9th Dec) seeking the reopening of highways, including the Shambhu border, which have been blocked by protesting farmers.
Farmers, under the banners of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stayed by security forces.
The petition, filed by a social activist from Punjab, urges the Court to direct the Centre and relevant authorities to lift the restrictions on the farmers’ protests and ensure that national highways and railway tracks are not obstructed by the agitating farmers.
The plea claims that the farmers and their unions have permanently blocked national and state highways across Punjab for an indefinite period.
According to the Supreme Court’s cause list for December 9, a bench led by Justice Surya Kant is scheduled to hear the petition.
The plea further asserts that the blockade of highways poses a national security threat, as it disrupts military movements to the northern borders, which pass through Punjab. The petition highlights the difficulties faced by residents of Punjab and neighboring states, who are unable to reach hospitals in medical emergencies, with even ambulances being hindered on national and state highways.
It also argues that the free movement on highways is a fundamental right of citizens, which is being violated by the farmers’ actions in blocking roads across the state. Additionally, the plea suggests that external and anti-national forces may be using the protesting farmers and their unions to destabilize Punjab, which is a critical region for the country and has historically faced threats from neighboring countries.
On Sunday, farmers delayed their march to Delhi after Haryana police used tear gas and water cannons at the Shambhu border, with plans to decide their next move after an evaluation.
Previous Reports
In February, the Haryana government shut the Shambhu border to prevent farmers from marching towards Delhi.
The farmers resumed their agitation, similar to the 2020 anti-farm law protests, to demand measures such as the legalization of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
The closure of the Shambhu border by protesting farmers has created ongoing difficulties for Haryana residents.
Former Haryana Chief Minister and Union Minister ML Khattar called the situation a “major issue,” claiming that the individuals blocking the border are not genuine farmers but those seeking to destabilize the government.
In August, the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the state government to clear the barricades, and the case is currently awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court.
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