New Delhi, July 24 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Haryana government to reach out to protesting farmers to address the trust deficit and name a “neutral umpire” for resolving the impasse over the Shambhu border blockade.
A three-judge bench comprising Justice Surya Kant, Justice Dipankar Datta, and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan asked the state government to give their suggestions in a week on forming an independent committee to sort out the matter.
The Apex Court was hearing a plea filed by the Haryana government challenging a High Court order to remove barricades at the Shambhu border.
The Apex Court suggested forming an Independent committee to reach out to farmers with the consensus of the State and the Union.
“The committee will talk to farmers to get their viewpoints and tell them where they are right or wrong,” the court said.
“You have to take some steps to reach out to farmers. Why would they otherwise want to come to Delhi?” the court asked the Solicitor General.
The bench said, “You are sending Ministers from here, and there is a trust deficit despite their best intentions.”
“They will think you are only talking about self-interests and ignoring local issues. Why don’t you send a neutral umpire?” the court suggested.
The High Court had on July 10, observed that the Shambu border was a “lifeline” for citizens’ movement between Punjab and Haryana and to Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir, its closure is causing immense inconvenience to the general public.
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta representing the Haryana Government told the Apex Court, “We have no problem with them (farmers) coming to Delhi but coming with tanks, JCBs causes friction.”
Justice Kant said, “We will think of appointing some independent person.”
The Court said that it will form an independent committee comprising eminent persons who can reach out to farmers and other stakeholders to find viable solutions to their demands that can be fair, just and in the interests of one and all.
When SG repeated the submission that the tractors had been modified, Justice Bhuyan said that the protesters also might need some shelter.
The SG said that the JCBs are converted into virtual war tanks! I am saying this with a sense of responsibility. Armoured vehicles and we also have photographs, the SG said.
Punjab Attorney General (AG) Gurminder Singh said, “They are well within their rights to regulate. But highway blockade is resulting in huge ramifications for Punjab economically.”
The Court told the SG to take appropriate instructions from the Haryana government within a week.
Till then let parties maintain the status quo at the site to prevent the flaring up of the situation at the Shambhu border, the Apex Court said.
