Khanauri, Shambhu protest sites cleared as Punjab police launch Op Clean-up

To facilitate the operation, authorities snapped electricity supply and slowed down internet speed at both sites. Police used torches to carry out the clearing process.

With farmers removed, police have started dismantling the protest sites, removing tents and lifting trolleys. Nearly 500 farmers, most of them elderly, were present when the operation began.

“The gathering was thin at both locations, as a new batch of farmers was expected to arrive on March 21,” said a farmer at Khanauri while speaking to The Indian Express. Shortly after, he was taken into custody. “The internet speed has slowed down, and we are unable to send pictures or videos to our group members,” he added.

As The Indian Express reported on Wednesday morning, heavy surveillance had been observed at both borders since Tuesday evening, though Patiala police had denied this.

To remove the trolleys and other protest materials, police arranged large vehicles, including lifting machines and cranes, from nearby villages. A meeting was held with transporters from Khanauri and Rajpura on Tuesday for this purpose. However, at Shambhu, most of these vehicles were taken back by villagers angered by the police’s plan, said Guramneet Singh Mangat.

With both sites emptied, over 2.5 acres of land near the Khanauri protest site remain vacant, and police may shift the seized vehicles there. The clean-up operation is still ongoing.