Supreme Court Directs Haryana to Clear Farmer Barricades

The Supreme Court ordered the Haryana government to clear barricades at the Shambhu border, where farmers have been protesting since February 13. It questioned the state's authority to block the highway, emphasizing the need to regulate traffic. The Haryana government planned to appeal against an earlier High Court order to clear the highway.

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Haryana government to remove the barricades set up at the Shambhu border near Ambala, where farmers have been protesting since February 13. The court questioned the state's authority to block the highway and emphasized the need to regulate traffic without obstructing it.

These barricades were established on the Ambala-New Delhi national highway after farmer unions announced a march to Delhi demanding various concessions, including a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP) for crops. Despite a High Court order to clear the road, Haryana sought to file an appeal.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan asked the Haryana government why it intends to challenge the High Court's directive. Justice Bhuyan stated, “How can a State block a highway? It has a duty to regulate traffic. We are saying open it but regulate.” Farmers, according to Justice Kant, “are also citizens of this country,” and deserve due care and consideration. The top court further requested an affidavit on subsequent developments related to the case.