Shambhu Border To Be Opened For All, Not Just For Farmers: Punjab & Haryana High Court Clarifies

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today said that its direction to open the Shambhu border which connects the two States is meant for all citizens, and is not restricted to any particular class.The clarification comes in a PIL seeking directions to open Shambhu border for general public, especially businessmen, departmental store owners and street vendors who are providing essential commodities to Ambala.On the submission made today that "the border is still closed", a division bench of Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Vikas Bahl said, "that's okay, we have given them week's time." The petitioner appearing in person, Advocate Vasu Ranjan Shandilya said, "the other petitioner, Uday Pratap has sought opening for farmers, I am requesting to open for business man, street vendors..." Justice Sandhawalia responding to the submissions said, "we have directed to open for everybody, not only for farmers."Shandilya also submitted that, "Khanauri border (another entry point for Punjab to Haryana) is also closed". However, the Court said, "Let them open Shambhu first, we will ask to open Khanauri also."The Court directed to list the matter along with the first batch of PIL filed on farmers protest.On Wednesday, observing that "the lifelines of the State of Punjab are blocked on account of mere apprehension and the cause has dwindled", the High Court directed Haryana Government to open Shambhu border.The Court opined that, "it would be in the interest of general public that the State of Haryana now does not continue to block the Highways for all times to come.""On experimental basis, we direct the State of Haryana that at least the barricade at Shambhu Border should be opened up within a week so that general public is not put to inconvenience," the Court said.Advocate Vasu Ranjan Shandilya in person for petitioner.Satya Pal Jain, Addl. Solicitor General of India for UOI.Ad AG Saurav Khurana for Punjab.Ad AG Deepak Balyan for Haryana.

Shambhu Border To Be Opened For All, Not Just For Farmers: Punjab & Haryana High Court Clarifies

Aiman J. Chishti

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