The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday directed the Haryana government to open Shambhu Border within a week time citing concerns about the disruption of traffic and the subsequent impact on daily commuters and transportation. The Punjab-Haryana border was closed after several farmer groups embarked on Delhi march to push their demands. Additionally, the HC ordered formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the death of farmer Shubhkaran Singh, who was killed in police-farmers clash at Khanauri border, Jagran.com reported.

A division bench of the high court, addressing multiple petitions, directed the states of Punjab and Haryana to coordinate and cooperate in reopening the border.

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“It is pointed out that the highways/national highways at the Shambhu border continue to be blocked, which is causing inconvenience to the commuters. Accordingly, both the states of Punjab and Haryana shall submit their affidavits regarding this aspect, by the next date of hearing, giving the details as to when it was closed and for how long the said position would continue,” The Tribune reported quoting the HC remark.

Earlier, the court asked both state government to submit affidavits in the HC regarding the blockade of the highway. It also asked the states to specify how long the status quo would be maintained at the border.

Advocate Vasu Shandilya, a resident of Ambala, had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court demanding the reopening of the Shambhu border. The petition mentioned the central government, Haryana and Punjab governments, as well as farmer leaders Swarn Singh Pandher and Jagjit Dallewal as parties.

He said the National Highway-44 was closed for almost five months due to the farmers' protest, pushing the shopkeepers, traders, and small vendors of Ambala to the brink of starvation. The businessmen of Ambala also wrote to the Union Home Minister in this regard.

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Since the farmers' call for a march to Delhi on February 10, the Shambhu border has been closed. People traveling from Punjab to Ambala and from Ambala to Punjab are forced to use alternative routes.

Notably, Shambhu border has been closed since February 10, the day when farmers gave call for a march to Delhi. People traveling from Punjab to Ambala and vice versa are forced to use alternative routes.