Farmer Unions to gherao Shambhu Police Station on May 6, Demand justice for protest crackdown
Chandigarh/Ferozepur, May 5, 2025: The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (Bharat) and Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) have announced a protest outside the Shambhu Police Station on May 6, accusing the government of using repressive tactics during the recent farmer agitation and demanding strict action against those responsible for police excesses.
Addressing a joint press conference after a meeting held at Kisan Bhawan, Chandigarh, senior farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal discussed upcoming action plans and criticised the Central Government for its contradictory stance on federalism. “The same Centre that has consistently undermined states’ rights in matters like education policy, agriculture, and GST is now talking about protecting federal structure—it is sheer hypocrisy,” they said.
Referring to the February–March 2024 farmers’ protest at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, the leaders condemned the government for dismantling protest sites and detaining farmer leaders through deceit. “Even today, repression against farmers and labourers continues. Hence, the Punjab Government does not deserve a seat at the discussion table,” Pandher said. They announced that a ‘Zabardasti Virodhi Dharna’ (Protest Against Oppression) will be held outside Shambhu Police Station on May 6.
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who had earlier gone on an indefinite hunger strike in protest against the government's inaction, had later withdrawn his fast following an assurance from authorities. However, with demands still unmet, tensions have risen again among farmer unions, prompting renewed agitation.
The farmer leaders demanded that police personnel, including Shambhu SHO Harpreet Singh, be dismissed for allegedly baton charging and misbehaving with farmer leaders, labourers, and women during the March 19–20 crackdown. They also sought the cancellation of politically motivated cases filed against youth who helped farmers retrieve stolen trolleys and belongings.
Blaming AAP MLA Gurlal Singh Ghanaur and his supporters for allegedly being involved in the theft of tractors, trolleys, fridges, air conditioners, solar panels, langar equipment, and other protest materials, the unions called for immediate FIRs and compensation by the Punjab Government.
They further demanded adequate compensation for the 480 injured farmers during the year-long agitation—₹25 lakh and government jobs for the severely injured, ₹15 lakh for serious injuries, ₹5 lakh for moderate injuries, and ₹1 lakh for minor injuries. They also reiterated demands for compensation and government jobs for families of farmers who were martyred during the movement.
Calling for the withdrawal of all police cases registered during both Delhi and Shambhu phases of the protest, the unions also condemned the alleged forced land acquisition under the Bharatmala Project in districts like Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and Tarn Taran without compensation.
Strong objections were raised against Haryana Government’s alleged misuse of court notices to intimidate farmer leaders. “If such tactics continue, the response will be severe,” warned the leaders.
Prominent leaders present included Jaswinder Singh Longowal, Sukhjeet Singh Hardojhandi, Baldev Singh Jeera, Abhimanyu Kohar, Manjeet Singh Rahe, Sukhdev Singh Bhojraj, Bibi Sukhwinder Kaur, Dilbagh Singh Harigarh Singh, Malkeet Singh Gulamiwala, Gur Amneet Singh Mangat, Tejvir Singh Kapanjokhra, Gurdhian Singh Bhateri, Naseeb Singh, and Kanwardeep Saidowal.