The Supreme Court on Wednesday proposed that Punjab and Haryana establish a committee to address the ongoing farmers' issues, emphasizing a "trust issue" between the governments and the farmers.

The bench, consisting of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and Ujjal Bhuyan, was hearing a petition filed by the Haryana government challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court order. The order directed Haryana to unblock the Shambhu border, which had been closed in February to prevent the movement of protesting farmers from Punjab to Haryana.

Court's Concerns and Suggestions During the hearing, the bench asked, "Have you taken any initiative to negotiate with the farmers? Your ministers might go to the farmers without realizing the local issues. There is a trust deficit. Why don't you have some neutral umpires? There have to be confidence-building measures."

The court scheduled the next hearing for the following week, directing both states to maintain the status quo at the protest site. The court also requested that Punjab and Haryana propose a plan to remove the barricades at the Shambhu border to avoid public inconvenience and suggest suitable individuals for the committee.

Farmers Using Armoured Tanks Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that "Over 500-600 tanks, which have been modified as armoured tanks, are stationed at the site. If they are allowed to travel to Delhi, law and order situations may arise."

The bench responded, "You need to make some effort. After all, you have to reach out to the farmers. Why would they otherwise need to come to Delhi?"

Mehta replied, "They may come to Delhi, but not in tankers or JCBs."

Justice Surya Kant noted, "It is a case of trust deficit. We will think of some independent persons who are neutral to the controversy."

Blocking the Highway The Solicitor General pressed for a stay on the Punjab and Haryana High Court order to open the border, stating, "As a welfare state, we cannot afford any untoward incident. They are prohibited on a national highway. JCB and other tankers are converted into war tanks. Please see the photos. I am saying this with a sense of responsibility."

Justice Bhuyan replied, "You also cannot block the highway. It's been over a year. They will have to stay somewhere."

Mehta countered, "There are armoured vehicles, and it has its impact somewhere, such as in the army. The tractors had been altered as virtual war tanks."

Justice Surya Kant concluded, "Mr Solicitor, what you are arguing also shows the trust deficit."

Economic Impact on Punjab Advocate General of Punjab Gurminder Singh submitted that blocking the national highway was affecting the economic health of the state.

Earlier this month, the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed both states to ensure law and order were maintained and the highway was restored to its original state.

Farmers' Demands The farmers are planning to march towards the Shambhu border to protest for their demands, including a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for certain crops.