Two fresh petitions have been filed in the Punjab & Haryana high court on the farmers’ protest at Shambhu & Khanauri barriers.One plea was filed by Harinder Pal Singh Ishar, a lawyer, seeking directions for a judicial inquiry by a retired judge into the death of a 21-year-old man protesting at Khanauri border in Sangrur & the alleged violent acts by the security forces during the farmers’ protest on Wednesday. This application has been filed in an earlier petition pending on the issue.The second petition has been filed by Anil Kumar, a resident of Panchkula, which seeks restraint order on farmers marching to Delhi & blocking highways. They are equipped with heavy vehicles, which would pose danger to common citizens, police & farmers themselves, the plea stated. There are also apprehensions of the situation turning volatile, the plea says, seeking immediate intervention of the court. Both the petitions could be taken up for hearing on Friday.The high court already has at least two petitions under considerations on the issue. The two PILs were filed by advocate Uday Pratap Singh & another by lawyer Arvind Seth. Singh’s PIL sought directions to Haryana to lift restrictions imposed by invoking Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code & the suspension of mobile internet services & bulk SMSes in several districts. Seth’s PIL sought directions to ensure that all national & state highways & rail tracks in Punjab & Haryana are not blocked by farmers & immediate action be taken against the agitators.On Tuesday, the high court had cautioned protesting farmers camping at Shambhu & said that tractor-trailers can’t be used on highways. The hearing in this case has been deferred to February 29.
TAGS: Punjab & Haryana high court Farmers' protest Shambhu barrier Khanauri barrier Petitions Judicial inquiry Retired judge
