A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Centre and relevant authorities to immediately clear the blockages of national and state highways in Punjab, where farmers have been staging protests.
Farmers under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13. This followed the halting of their march to Delhi by security forces.
The petition, filed by a social activist from Punjab, urges the court to direct the Centre and concerned parties to remove the restrictions imposed on farmers’ protests and ensure that national highways and railway tracks remain unblocked. The petition accuses farmer unions of blocking the entire network of national and state highways in Punjab indefinitely.
The petition claims that the farmers and their unions have obstructed the national highway at Shambhu, a major entry point to Punjab, for over a year. Furthermore, on October 24, 2024, blockages were extended to various national and state highways throughout the state.
The petition also raises concerns about national security, citing that the blocked highways disrupt the movement of the army towards northern borders. Additionally, it highlights the severe inconvenience caused to residents of Punjab and neighboring states, particularly in medical emergencies, as ambulances are unable to pass through the blocked highways.
The petitioner emphasizes that free movement on highways is a fundamental right, which is being violated by the ongoing blockades. It further claims that the situation is being exploited by external, anti-national forces with the intention of destabilizing Punjab, which plays a crucial role in the nation’s security and has faced multiple attacks from neighboring countries in the past.
The Supreme Court, scheduled to hear the plea on December 9, will be led by a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant.
