Haryana Seals Shambhu Border as Farmers March Towards Delhi for Kisan Mahapanchayat

Ambala, July 21: Haryana Police on Tuesday tightened security at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana by installing barricades and placing cement blocks to prevent farmers from moving towards Delhi for the Kisan Mahapanchayat.

The farmers were planning to participate in the day-long gathering at Kisan Ghat in the national capital, organised under the banner of the “Desh Bachao Morcha” against the proposed India-US trade agreement.

Several groups of farmers carrying flags of their respective organisations gathered at the Shambhu border point in the morning as part of their planned march. The Haryana Police made extensive security arrangements and fenced the bridge over the Ghaggar river to restrict movement.

Farmers Accuse Haryana Government of Stopping Peaceful March

Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher alleged that the Haryana government was preventing farmers from reaching Delhi despite their intention to hold a peaceful protest.

Pandher said farmers wanted to participate in the Kisan Mahapanchayat to raise concerns over the proposed trade agreement and demand its withdrawal.

He alleged that the restrictions reflected the government’s approach towards farmers’ concerns and claimed that the administration was attempting to suppress their democratic right to protest.

The farmer leader reiterated that their demand was clear  the proposed India-US trade deal should be cancelled to protect the interests of farmers and other sections dependent on agriculture.

Heavy Police Deployment at Punjab-Haryana Border

Authorities deployed a large number of police personnel at the Shambhu border area as farmers began arriving from different parts of Punjab.

According to farmer organisations, hundreds of participants were travelling towards Delhi in buses to attend the Mahapanchayat.

The farmers’ convoy started from Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab on Tuesday morning. More than a thousand farmers had stayed overnight at the gurdwara premises before beginning their journey.

The group later moved towards Madhopur near Sirhind on the Grand Trunk Road before heading towards the Shambhu border.

Farmer Leaders Claim Movement Restricted Without Prior Notice

Bharatiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) leader Tejveer Singh claimed that the Shambhu border was sealed without any advance information.

Farmer groups alleged that the restrictions were aimed at preventing their participation in the Delhi gathering.

Meanwhile, reports from Haryana’s Kurukshetra indicated that some farmers were allegedly stopped near Jyotisar while attempting to join the protest.

Traffic Advisory Issued Amid Farmers’ Movement

In view of the planned protest and security arrangements, Haryana Police issued a traffic advisory for commuters travelling between Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.

The advisory suggested alternative routes to avoid congestion and delays.

Travellers heading towards Punjab were advised to use the Ambala Cantonment-Chandigarh-Lalru-Dera Bassi-Zirakpur route, while commuters travelling from Punjab towards Delhi were asked to consider the Rajpura-Lalru-Dera Bassi-Zirakpur-Ambala Cantonment route.

Earlier Detentions Ahead of Mahapanchayat

The latest developments came a day after Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni was detained by police in Kurukshetra while he was travelling to Delhi for the Mahapanchayat.

The organisation’s spokesperson Prince Waraich claimed that several members of the group were being detained to prevent them from participating in the protest.

Farmers Raise Concerns Over India-US Trade Agreement

Farmers have been opposing the proposed India-US trade agreement, arguing that it could negatively impact the agricultural sector.

They fear that increased imports of cheaper agricultural products could affect domestic farmers’ income and create challenges for cultivators, agricultural workers, livestock owners, small traders, and micro industries.

Farmer organisations have also raised concerns that the agreement may cover multiple sectors, including agriculture, dairy, digital trade, e-commerce, government procurement, intellectual property rights, services, and industrial areas.

They have urged the Centre to reconsider the agreement and prioritise the interests of farmers and ordinary citizens.

Previous Security Measures During Farmers’ March

The Shambhu border has previously witnessed similar security arrangements. In February 2024, authorities installed barricades at several points after farmer groups announced a march towards Delhi demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.

The latest restrictions have once again brought farmer-government tensions into focus as agricultural groups continue to press their demands.