The Supreme Court has asked both Punjab and Haryana govts to explore partial opening of the national highway at Shambhu on the Punjab and Haryana border near Ambala blocked due to the protest of farmers for over six months now.
A two-judge bench led by Justice Surya Kant, during its resumed hearing on a petition by the Haryana govt against the Punjab and Haryana high court order of removing the barricades from the highway, observed that the highway was not a parking area for tractor-trailers.
Farmers have been camping on the highway with their vehicles on the Punjab side since Feb 13 demanding legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) on all crops according to the comprehensive cost along with 50% profit formula as per the Swaminathan commission recommendations.
The apex court asked Punjab and Haryana to engage their directors-general of police (DGPs) to hold a meeting within a week and involve deputy commissioners, senior superintendents of police from Patiala and Ambala to lay down the modalities for partial opening of the highway at least for ambulances, elderly, women, children and local people.
The court said that an order would be passed on the next date, preferably on Aug 22, but till then sincere efforts should be made, observing that if both sides could resolve such modalities, they need not wait for any order from the court and let such resolution be directed immediately.
The SC appreciated efforts of both the states to suggest certain names for inclusion in the proposed committee to hold negotiations with the protesting farmers and the govts.
Tractor marches to be held on August 15, says Pandher.
During the previous hearings, the court had observed that there was a trust deficit between farmers and the govt and suggested forming a committee. It had also suggested removing tractors and JCBs even though it said that the farm ers have the right to protest.
In their response, farmers said that they would make a comment after going through the order. “We are waiting for the court order but are preparing in a big way for the tractor marches proposed on Aug 15,” said farmer leader Sarvan Singh Pandher.