Hundreds of farmers from Punjab were stopped by the Haryana Police on Tuesday while marching towards New Delhi to participate in the proposed Kisan Mahapanchayat against the India-US trade deal. The farmers were intercepted at the Shambhu border, the main entry point between Punjab and Haryana, as authorities tightened security to prevent the protest from reaching the national capital.

The demonstration is being organised under the banner of the ‘Desh Bachao Morcha’, with farmer organisations expressing concerns that the proposed trade agreement with the United States could negatively impact India’s agricultural sector.

Farmer Leaders Detained, Highways Sealed

As part of the security measures, Haryana Police detained Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni. Authorities also barricaded key highways and sealed all four major entry points into Haryana from Punjab.

Heavy deployment of state police and paramilitary personnel was seen across national highways and major roads leading towards Delhi. Barricades, concrete blocks, boulders, sand-filled tippers, barbed wire, and iron spikes were installed to stop the movement of protesters.

Security has also been intensified at Delhi’s Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders to prevent the march from entering the national capital.

Farmers Say Protest Is Peaceful

Farmer leaders insisted that the march was entirely peaceful and questioned why they were prevented from travelling to Delhi.

Unlike previous protests that involved tractor-trailers, participants travelled in buses and private vehicles. Protesters said they were carrying only the flags of their respective farmer organisations and traditional sticks, without any weapons.

One protester at the Shambhu border in Patiala district said the government had no reason to stop them.

“We are carrying the flag of our farmers’ organisation and a stick. We are not carrying any weapons. Why is the government afraid of us? If we are stopped here, we will continue an indefinite sit-in protest,” the farmer said.

Opposition to India-US Trade Deal

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher criticised the Haryana government for preventing the march and accused it of suppressing democratic protest.

According to farmer organisations, the proposed India-US trade agreement could allow cheaper agricultural imports into the Indian market, adversely affecting domestic farmers, agricultural labourers and the rural economy.

They argue that increased imports would reduce prices for locally produced crops, making farming less profitable and threatening the livelihoods of millions dependent on agriculture.

The Kisan Mahapanchayat was planned to highlight these concerns and urge the Centre to protect farmers’ interests during ongoing trade negotiations.

Traffic Disruptions Across Punjab-Haryana Border

The extensive security arrangements caused major traffic disruptions along the Punjab-Haryana border. Commuters travelling towards Haryana were forced to take longer village routes as several highways remained blocked.

A senior Haryana Police official said adequate security arrangements had been made to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents during the protests.

With security remaining tight and farmers vowing to continue their agitation, the standoff at the Shambhu border has once again brought the issue of agricultural policy and trade negotiations into the national spotlight. Farmer organisations have indicated that their protests will continue until their concerns over the proposed India-US trade deal are addressed.

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