Petition seeks free vehicle movement at Shambhu

Chandigarh, July 6

An advocate today moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking directions to the Union of India and the states of Haryana and Punjab to ensure unhindered movement of all vehicles across the Shambhu border. The petition, filed in public interest, comes in response to the ongoing protest by farmer unions that has persisted for over five months.

Among other things, petitioner Vasu Ranjan Shandilya contended that the restricted movement of vehicles was causing inconvenience not just to local residents and businesses but also hindering the progress of emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire engines.

In his petition, Shandilya added that the NH-44, a vital artery connecting New Delhi to Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, had been severely affected due to the farmers’ agitation near Shambhu. The closure of the border had also disrupted life of street vendors and residents.

The petition stressed the necessity for ensuring passage for emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire engines through temporary arrangements at the Shambhu border. The petition is yet to come up for hearing.