A bench led by Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan began the hearing by acknowledging the efforts of the Punjab and Haryana governments in proposing apolitical candidates for a committee that will engage with the protesting farmers.
![[Shambhu Border Row] Apex Court Directs DGPs of Punjab, Haryana to Meet for Partial Reopening of Highway At Border Within One-Week](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/punjab-haryana-shambhu-border-.webp?resize=820%2C461&ssl=1)
NEW DELHI: On Monday(12th Aug), the Supreme Court issued an order directing the senior police officials (DGPs) of Punjab and Haryana to convene a meeting with the police officials (SPs) from the adjacent districts of Patiala and Ambala within one week.
READ ALSO: Shambhu Border Won’t Open Now | SC Directs Haryana and Punjab to Maintain Status Quo
The purpose of this meeting is to facilitate the partial reopening of the highway at the Shambhu border.
A bench led by Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan began the hearing by acknowledging the efforts of the Punjab and Haryana governments in proposing apolitical candidates for a committee that will engage with the protesting farmers.
The court stated,
“A meeting of the concerned police officials should take place. However, if both sides can agree on the modalities, they need not wait for a court order and can implement the resolutions on their own.”
The border closure resulted from the ‘Delhi Chalo march’ organized by protesting farmers, who have been stationed there since February 13.
READ ALSO: HC Ordered Haryana Gov. to Remove Shambhu Border Barricades in Seven Days
The court emphasized the need to partially reopen the Shambhu border to ensure the movement of ambulances, essential services, senior citizens, women, girl students, and local commuters in nearby areas.
The DGPs of Haryana and Punjab were tasked with determining whether additional lanes could be opened near the Shambhu border during their meeting.
The Supreme Court also instructed the Punjab Government to negotiate with the protesting farmers to remove tractors, trolleys, and JCBs from the road, asserting that highways should not be used as parking spaces.
Furthermore, the court announced plans to form a panel, including the apolitical members suggested by the Punjab and Haryana governments, to engage in negotiations with the farmers. The bench stressed the importance of finding a respectful and amicable resolution.
In an earlier hearing, the Supreme Court had asked the Punjab and Haryana Governments to propose neutral candidates for an independent committee tasked with engaging with the protesting farmers at the Shambhu border to find a solution.
The farmers’ protests have primarily centered around demands for a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for their crops.
The case was brought before the Supreme Court after the Haryana Government challenged a Punjab and Haryana High Court order, which directed the state to remove barricades and reopen the Shambhu border within a week.
The next hearing is scheduled for August 22.
