Sangrur (Punjab) [India], March 21 (HBTV): After the Punjab Police removed protesting farmers from the Khanauri border, Patiala Range Deputy Inspector General Mandeep Singh Sidhu on Thursday said significant progress had been made in clearing the area.

Speaking to ANI, Sidhu stated that movable items such as tractors and trolleys were being relocated three kilometres away from the border. He also highlighted the cooperation of farmers during the operation and emphasized that authorities were ensuring the well-being of those detained.

'A large area has been cleared at the Khanauri border, and movable items like tractors and trolleys are being shifted three kilometres away. If someone wants to take their trolley from there, they can show their identity with proof, and it will be handed over after proper entry. Yesterday, the farmers cooperated with us. Proper care is being taken of the detained farmers,' Sidhu said.

Earlier in the day, farmers under the banners of the All India Kisan Sabha and Bharatiya Kisan Union staged a protest march to the residence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in Karnal.

This development followed the Punjab Police’s action on Wednesday, when officers cleared protesting farmers from the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu and Khanauri borders, where they had been demonstrating over various demands. Police also removed temporary structures erected at the protest site.

Several farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal—who is on an indefinite fast—and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarvan Singh Pandher, were detained by the police.

Meanwhile, Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema defended the Aam Aadmi Party-led government's actions, stating that the removal of farmers was necessary to reopen the Shambhu and Khanauri borders.

Speaking to ANI, Cheema said the farmers should protest in Delhi or elsewhere, as their demands were directed at the central government.

'The AAP government and the people of Punjab stood with the farmers when they protested against the three black laws. The farmers' demands are against the central government. It has been more than a year since the Shambhu and Khanauri borders were closed. Traders and youths in Punjab are deeply affected. When businesses operate smoothly, the youth will get employment and stay away from drugs,' he said.

'Today's action was taken because we want the youth of Punjab to get jobs. We want to reopen the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. Since the farmers' demands are directed at the central government, they should stage their protest in Delhi or elsewhere, rather than blocking Punjab's roads,' Cheema added.

(ANI)