The Shambhu Border, a key gateway connecting Haryana and Punjab on the Ambala-Amritsar National Highway, remained closed for nearly 11 hours on Tuesday before reopening in the evening. The closure was enforced after farmers attempting to march towards Delhi over trade policy concerns and other demands were stopped by the authorities.
Police barricaded the border at around 5:00 AM, preventing traffic movement between the two states. As a result, commuters, transport operators, and bus passengers faced long delays and were forced to take alternate routes throughout the day.
Farmers Stage Protest at Shambhu Border
By late morning, several groups of farmers reached the Punjab side of the Shambhu Border. After encountering heavy barricading, they sat on the highway near the Shambhu police post and began a peaceful protest, demanding permission to continue their march to Delhi.
The protesters stated that they were heading to the national capital to raise concerns regarding the proposed trade deal and other agricultural issues.
Agriculture Minister Holds Talks With Farmers
At approximately 1:00 PM, Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana arrived at the Ghaggar Bridge near the border to meet farmer representatives. Speaking from behind the security barricades, he listened to the concerns raised by farmer leaders, including allegations that several leaders had been detained while attempting to travel to Delhi.
The minister accepted a memorandum from the farmers and assured them that their demands would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities. He also indicated that discussions with the concerned Union minister could be arranged within a week to address the issues.
Following the talks, the farmers agreed to end their protest and returned peacefully. The border was officially reopened for traffic at around 4:00 PM.
Multi-Layer Security Arrangements
To prevent any breach, the police established five layers of barricading along the Haryana side of the border using cement blocks placed with cranes. Security personnel, including police and reserve forces, remained deployed throughout the day at key locations, including Baldev Nagar, Devi Nagar, the Shambhu Border, and the Ghaggar Bridge.
Traffic Diversions Issued
With the border sealed, the police advised commuters to use alternate routes through Lalru, Dera Bassi, Zirakpur, Rajpura, and Ambala Cantonment. Travelers heading between Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi were guided through these diversion routes to minimize inconvenience.
Authorities also advised people to contact the emergency helpline Dial 112 for assistance during the disruption.
Section 163 Imposed Till July 27
The Ambala district administration has imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) around the Shambhu Border until July 27. The order prohibits gatherings of five or more people and restricts unnecessary movement in the sensitive border area to maintain law and order.
Memories of the Previous Farmers’ Protest
The heavy police deployment and extensive barricading reminded many local residents of the previous farmers’ agitation, during which the Shambhu Border remained closed for more than a year. Tuesday’s closure once again caused inconvenience for commuters and transport services, although traffic resumed after the farmers dispersed in the evening.
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