Hooda says Cong will open stir-hit Shambhu border

Ambala: A day after farmers asked the Congress if it will open Haryana’s borders with Punjab to make way for protesting agriculturists, former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday replied in the affirmative, saying the party will open the Shambhu border after it forms the state govt.
In a kisan mahapanchayat in Pipli on Sunday, farmers had made the demand to the Congress.Farmers have been sitting on Punjab-Haryana borders of Khanauri and Shambhu since Feb 13 for in their attempt to reach Delhi, but the incumbent BJP govt in Haryana has not allowed them to proceed as it has blocked the border with concrete walls, and heavy police and paramilitary force.
Hooda’s statement came when he was campaigning for Ambala City candidate Nirmal Singh. Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge was also scheduled to reach Ambala, but his visit was cancelled.
Hooda also promised to start Industrial Model Township (IMT) at Ambala to boost industrial and employment growth in the region.
Addressing the gathering, Hooda said BJP had no faith in democracy. “This dictatorial govt first imposed three anti-farmer laws and then used lathis and fired bullets on farmers, when they opposed these laws. Roads were dug to stop farmers. Even now, Haryana govt has stopped farmers at Shambhu border,” Hooda said, adding that When Congress govt is formed, Shambhu border will be reopened, and farmers will be given a legal guarantee to MSP.