Following the eviction of protesting farmers from the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Satnam Singh Pannu strongly condemned both the Union and Punjab state governments for their actions.
In a video shared by Kisan Morcha, Pannu announced that farmers would stage protest demonstrations outside Deputy Commissioners’ offices in Haryana and Punjab against what he called the “atrocities” committed against farmers.
“We condemn the crackdown on farmers by the Bhagwant Mann government, which acted in collaboration with or under the orders of the Modi government. Both governments will have to pay a heavy price for this,” Pannu stated.
The forcible removal and arrests of farmers have sparked political backlash:
Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief, criticized the Punjab government for ignoring farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). He accused the AAP-led government of breaking its promises.
“The Bhagwant Mann government, which promised to provide MSP to farmers in five minutes, is now ignoring their demands. I strongly condemn the abduction of farmer leaders and demand their immediate release,” Badal wrote on Facebook.
Olympic medallist and Kisan Congress leader Bajrang Punia also lashed out at the government, accusing it of betrayal.
“The government was just pretending to hold talks with farmers. Arresting them after discussions proves they were never serious about solving farmers’ problems,” Punia said, urging public support for the farmers’ movement.
BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait echoed the criticism, stating, “On one hand, the government is negotiating with farmer organizations, and on the other, it is arresting them.”
The situation turned tense at the Shambhu Border as security forces moved in. On Tuesday, police detained several farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on an indefinite hunger strike, and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarvan Singh Pandher.
Meanwhile, the Haryana Police used bulldozers to remove concrete barricades restricting farmers’ movement, while the Punjab Police cleared protesters from the site.
Patiala SSP Nanak Singh defended the move, stating, “Farmers had been protesting for a long time. Police cleared the area after giving proper warnings. A few farmers voluntarily left on buses, and structures are being removed to reopen the highway.”
Despite the eviction, farmer groups remain determined to fight for their demands, planning widespread protests against what they describe as oppressive government actions. With tensions rising, the farmer movement is set to intensify in the coming days.
