Farmers' protests: SC to review plea for clearing highway blockages

New Delhi: The Supreme Court will hear a petition on Monday seeking immediate action to remove blockages on national and state highways, imposed during ongoing farmers' protests. The petition emphasizes that these blockages threaten national security, as the movement of the Army toward India's northern borders passes through Punjab.

Filed by a Punjab-based social activist, the plea requests the central and state governments to ensure the unhindered movement of people and goods and to prevent future disruptions, especially at the Shambhu border, which has been blocked for over a year. The petition argues that such restrictions infringe on the fundamental right of citizens to free movement, affecting emergency services and general transport across Punjab.

Since October 24, 2024, highways across Punjab have been blocked by farmers and their unions, impacting the daily lives of residents and creating logistical challenges. According to the plea, these disruptions prevent timely access to hospitals and other critical services.

On Sunday, the farmers' agitation intensified as a group from Punjab paused their march towards Delhi after clashing with Haryana Police at the interstate border. Security forces deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the second group of 101 farmers attempting to continue their "Delhi Chalo" march. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher reported that eight farmers were injured, with one requiring urgent medical treatment at PGIMER, Chandigarh. Pandher confirmed that the group was called back, and future strategies will be discussed by groups such as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.

The Supreme Court’s decision is anticipated to influence the course of the ongoing standoff and the farmers' approach in the coming days.

With IANS inputs