Punjab police evict farmers, dismantle protest camps, detain leaders at Shambhu and Khanauri border; top developments

NEW DELHI: Punjab Police on Wednesday launched an eviction drive at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points, removing protesting farmers and dismantling their temporary structures. The border points had remained closed for over a year due to the ongoing protests.
Detention of farmer leaders
Several farmer leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal—who was on an indefinite fast—were detained in Mohali while returning from a meeting with the central delegation. Farmer leader Guramneet Singh Mangat said that Abhimanyu Kohar, Kaka Singh Kotra, and Manjit Singh Rai were also detained. Pandher was taken from the Zirakpur barrier to the Bahadurgarh Commando Police Training Centre in Patiala, while Dallewal was detained while travelling in an ambulance.
Heavy security deployment at protest sites

The police action was preceded by a heavy deployment of security forces, including ambulances, buses, firefighting vehicles, and anti-riot equipment at the protest sites. About 3,000 police personnel, led by Deputy Inspector General of Police (Patiala Range) Mandeep Singh Sidhu, were deployed at the Khanauri border, while another large force moved in to clear the Shambhu border. Protesters at Khanauri were given ten minutes to vacate before being detained and transported in buses stationed at the site.
Punjab minister defends eviction
Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema justified the police action, citing economic losses due to prolonged highway blockades. "Industries and businesses have been severely impacted by the closure of these two highways—the lifelines of Punjab. The AAP government is committed to providing jobs to the youth, and trade must function smoothly," he said. Cheema also reiterated that farmers should protest in Delhi, as their demands were directed at the central government.
Farmers protest police action
Following the eviction, protesting farmers accused the state government of betraying them. They alleged that the Punjab government misled them into ending their hunger strike by promising talks, only to detain farmer leaders afterward. Some farmers clashed with police personnel, raising slogans against the AAP government.
Congress and Akali Dal condemn crackdown
Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring accused both the Centre and Punjab government of conspiring against farmers. "Farmers were assured talks, but after discussions, the Punjab Police detained their leaders. This is an attempt to isolate Punjab’s farmers," he said. Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa criticised CM Bhagwant Mann, warning, "God is watching the excesses you are committing against farmers."
Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal claimed that CM Bhagwant Mann had "lost his mental balance," stating, "Mann promised to fulfil farmers’ demands during elections, but now he is deceiving them." Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu also condemned the police action, accusing the AAP government of detaining farmers for political gain ahead of the Ludhiana West by-election.
SAD, BJP leaders question government’s motives
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema denounced the detentions as "highly undemocratic and illogical." He demanded an explanation from CM Bhagwant Mann, saying, "The Union Agriculture Minister himself announced the next meeting on May 4. Why were farmer leaders detained immediately after the meeting? The Punjab government has stabbed them in the back just to please their political mentors in Delhi."
Patiala SSP on police action
Patiala SSP Nanak Singh stated that the eviction was carried out peacefully in the presence of duty magistrates after due warning.
Nanak Singh said, "Farmers had been protesting at Shambhu Border for a long time. Today, in the presence of Duty Magistrates, Police cleared the area after they were given proper warning. A few people showed a willingness to go home. So, they were sent home on a bus. In addition, the structures and vehicles here are being moved. The entire road will be cleared and opened for traffic. Haryana Police will also begin their action. Once it opens from their side, the movement on highway will resume. We did not need to use any force because there was no resistance. Farmers cooperated well and they sat in buses by themselves."
Next round of talks on May 4
Despite the crackdown, the central government continued talks with farmer representatives. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, leading the central delegation, described the discussions as "positive and constructive." However, the meeting remained inconclusive, and the next round of negotiations has been scheduled for May 4.
DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu stated that while the police viewed the farmers as their own people, the eviction was necessary as the gathering had been declared illegal under prohibitory orders. He warned younger protesters against misbehaving with security personnel. Police officers at the scene dismantled protest structures using JCB machines, clearing the road of tractors and other vehicles.