The Supreme Court, on August 22, announced that it will issue an order within a week regarding the formation of a Committee to negotiate with the protesting farmers in connection with the blockade on the national highway at the Shambhu border.

To this end, the Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and Ujjal Bhuyan suggested that the States of Punjab and Haryana submit proposed issues to be addressed by the Committee within three days. The Court clarified in its order that the Committee will be given a broad mandate to ensure that recurring law and order issues can be resolved amicably, in a fair and just manner.

The representatives of the States are required to continue their meetings with the farmers and update the Court on the progress at the next hearing. Additionally, the Court granted Punjab the liberty to suggest additional names for the Committee's composition within three days.

The Supreme Court was addressing Haryana's petition challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court's directive to reopen the Shambhu Border, which was closed in February due to farmers' protests demanding statutory guarantees for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

Earlier, both states had provided the Supreme Court with a list of potential members for the proposed Committee to facilitate negotiations between the protesters and the government.

Moreover, the Court directed the Director Generals of Police of Punjab and Haryana, along with the Senior Superintendents of Police and Deputy Commissioners of Patiala and Ambala, to meet within a week to establish the modalities for a partial reopening of the Highway. This reopening is intended for essential services, including ambulances, senior citizens, women, students, and local commuters.

During the proceedings, Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh informed the Court that the meeting took place on August 19. He reported that after discussions, the farmers' unions were consulted, and the officials met with them. When Justice Kant inquired about the progress, Singh noted that the unions had no objections to reopening the highway but remained committed to continuing their protests.

Justice Kant then mentioned that while the Committee's composition and the issues to be addressed were nearly finalized, the Court was still conducting some inquiries. The Court also urged the State to reassure the farmers that both the States and the Court are committed to creating a forum to address their grievances.

The Bench encouraged the State to keep persuading the farmers to remove tractors and trolleys and suggested that informal discussions could take place if necessary. It was also clarified that the Committee would have some authority to make recommendations that the State governments and Union would need to consider.

When the Advocate General proposed another meeting before the next hearing to finalize the issues, the Court agreed and scheduled the matter for September 2.

To recap, the disputed order had directed Haryana to reopen the Shambhu border, which was closed in February to prevent the movement of protesting farmers from Punjab into Haryana. In response, Haryana appealed to the Supreme Court.

Previously, the Court had asked Haryana and Punjab to suggest neutral individuals to be part of the Committee to negotiate with the farmers. The Bench also stressed the importance of building trust with the farmers.

The Court agreed that the border should be reopened, at least for emergency services between the states. Justice Kant remarked that ambulances or vehicles carrying senior citizens should not be obstructed.

To facilitate this, the Bench suggested that in such emergencies, police personnel from both Haryana and Punjab coordinate to ensure that the vehicles can pass through.

Case Details: THE STATE OF HARYANA VS. UDAY PRATAP SINGH., DIARY NO. - 30656/2024