Written by: JAGPREET SINGH
4 min readChandigarhJun 14, 2023 07:25 AM IST
First published on: Jun 14, 2023 at 07:25 AM IST
The state of Haryana on Tuesday told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that many rounds of discussion had been held between the district administration and representatives of the farmer unions to get them to lift the blockade in a peaceful manner.
The farmer union leaders, the state further told the court, however, were adamant on their demands in spite of constant dialogue… and the National Highway continues to be blocked.
The farmers’ protest in Haryana was ultimately called off late on Tuesday after the Kurukshetra district administration assured them of “appropriate price” for the sunflower crop and release of Gurnam Singh Chaduni and others who were arrested on June 6.
The high court is hearing a petition filed by one Randeep Tanwar, who has sought directions to stop a mob of people from gathering at National Highway-44 (NH-44), at the behest of BKU (Bhartiya Kisan Union), Chaduni Group.
On Tuesday, as the matter came up for hearing before the division Bench of Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu and Justice Deepak Gupta, an affidavit was filed by Haryana Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal before the court.
The chief secretary, in his affidavit, told the HC that the Haryana government as well as the district administration of Kurukshetra have been continuously holding dialogue with the protesters to open the blockade and to restore the vehicular movement on NH-44 as soon as possible. The state pleaded that directions be issued to the BKU-Chaduni and other participating groups to ensure that no such blockade takes place in any part of the state and that the blockade is vacated forthwith.
The affidavit went on to state that an information had been received from the State Intelligence Agencies, Police Headquarters and Social Media Platforms that the BKU-Chaduni held a meeting regarding purchase/procurement of sunflower crop by the government of Haryana on MSP and in case the state would not agree to their demand, the BKU was to block NH-44 and railway track at Shahbad on June 6, as a pressure building measure.
The affidavit stated that the situation was closely monitored and a committee was constituted, which met a delegation led by Gurnam Singh Chaduni and others of BKU. However, the representatives of BKU remained adamant.
On June 6, the members of BKU and the protesters started assembling at Shaheed Udham Singh Memorial Hall, Shahbad NH-44. The leaders of BKU addressed the protesters for some time and planned to move ahead. At this stage, the district administration — including police personnel — again tried to persuade the farmers not to go ahead. However, they started moving towards the National Highway and at about 12.30 pm, blocked NH-44. As per the order of executive magistrate, Shahbad, mild force was used to disperse the protesters and open the blockade and at round 07.20 pm the road blockade on NH-44 at Shahbad was opened and regular traffic was resumed. Further a FIR in this regard was also registered at Shahbad Police Station against Gurnam Singh Chaduni and other BKU leaders/members.
The chief secretary further said that on June 12, the members of various kisan unions started assembling at the Grain Market in Pipli. The administrative and police officers again tried to persuade them and made repeated attempts in this regard. However, they started moving towards the National Highway at about 02:20 pm. All efforts were made to stop them for moving towards the NH 44.
“Before that, at around noon, talks were held by the district administration to resolve the issue with the representatives of the kisan unions. All preventive efforts were made by the district administration and police to stop them from reaching the National Highway. To avoid any inconvenience to the public at large, routes for the vehicles were diverted,” read the affidavit.
The affidavit by the haryana chief secretary was subsequently taken on record.
Meanwhile, as proceedings in the matter continued, the HC found that the petitioner in the present case, Randeep Tanwar, had not submitted the due process fee, following which notice could not be issued to BKU-Chaduni. The court then went on to impose a cost of Rs 25000 on the petitioner, which is to be deposited in the with the Bar Association of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana.
The matter was listed for further hearing on June 22.
The farmer union leaders, the state further told the court, however, were adamant on their demands in spite of constant dialogue... and the National Highway continues to be blocked. 
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