Tractors & Trolleys Not Allowed On Highways, High Court Tells Protesting Farmers

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday objected to farmers travelling by tractors and trolleys for protest, orally remarking that the farmers have right to protest but subject to reasonable restrictions.

“According to Motor Vehicle Act, you cannot use tractors and trolleys on highway…you are travelling on your tractors and trolleys from Amritsar to Delhi…everyone knows about their rights but there are also constitutional duties,” said Acting Chief Justice G S Sandhawalia.

He further added if it is required then the tractor and trolleys can be carried on trucks.

Uday Pratap Singh, a Panchkula-based lawyer had challenged the “obstructive actions” of the government, including sealing of border between Haryana and Puniab and suspension of mobile internet services and bulk SMS in several districts of Haryana in the High Court.

He also pointed out that the road blockade is not only causing inconvenience to residents but also hindrance in the movement of ambulances, school buses and pedestrians since February 13.

Hearing the petition, a high court bench of Acting Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji questioned the Punjab government for allowing the assembly of farmers in such large numbers.

CJ GS Sandhawalia asked the Punjab Government to ensure that protestors do not gather in large numbers. “They have right to protest but it is subjected to reasonable restrictions,” he said.

The hearing came a day after the farmers rejected the Centre’s proposal on procuring pulses, maize, and cotton at MSP by government agencies for five years and declared their ‘Delhi Chalo’ would resume on Wednesday.

The Centre told the High Court that meetings had taken place with the agitating farmers.

The High Court directed the Centre that by the next date of hearing, the status report on affidavit with details of what transpired in the meetings with farmers should be filed.