21 July,2026 09:23 AM IST | Shambhu/Ambala | mid-day online correspondent
The security arrangements came ahead of the day-long Kisan Mahapanchayat, scheduled to be held at Kisan Ghat in Delhi under the banner of the "Desh Bachao Morcha". Pic/PTI
Haryana Police on Tuesday sealed the Shambhu border point and stepped up security to prevent farmers from Punjab from travelling to Delhi to participate in the proposed Kisan Mahapanchayat against the India-US trade deal.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher criticised the Haryana government for blocking the movement of farmers, alleging that they were being stopped despite planning to travel peacefully to the national capital.
A large police force was deployed at the Shambhu border connecting Punjab and Haryana. Authorities erected multiple barricades and placed cement blocks on the bridge over the Ghaggar River to restrict the movement of vehicles carrying farmers.
The security arrangements came ahead of the day-long Kisan Mahapanchayat, scheduled to be held at Kisan Ghat in Delhi under the banner of the "Desh Bachao Morcha". Farmer organisations have announced that representatives from Punjab, Haryana and several other states would participate in the gathering.
Farmers from different districts of Punjab had planned to travel to Delhi in buses to attend the event.
Speaking to reporters in Fatehgarh Sahib before beginning the journey, Pandher accused the Haryana government of preventing farmers from exercising their democratic right to protest.
He alleged that the police action exposed the "true face" of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, referring to the Chief Minister's visits to Punjab and his assurances to the state's residents.
Pandher reiterated the farmers' demand that the proposed India-US trade agreement should be completely withdrawn.
He also said that the next course of action would be decided after consultations with other farmer leaders once they reached the Shambhu border.
The convoy of farmers started its journey from Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib on Tuesday morning after more than 1,000 farmers spent the previous night at the pilgrims' accommodation within the gurdwara complex.
The convoy first travelled to Madhopur near Sirhind on the Grand Trunk Road before proceeding towards the Shambhu border, where security had been significantly tightened.
The latest developments come a day after Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni was detained by Haryana Police in Kurukshetra while travelling to Delhi for the Mahapanchayat.
The organisation's spokesperson, Prince Waraich, had alleged that Haryana Police detained several workers to prevent them from joining the protest in Delhi.
Farmer organisations have maintained that the proposed India-US trade agreement could allow cheaper agricultural imports into India, which they fear would adversely impact domestic farmers' incomes and weaken the country's agricultural sector.
According to farmer groups, the proposed trade pact could also affect agricultural labourers, livestock rearers, small traders and micro-scale industries by increasing competition from imported products.
The protesting organisations have urged the Central government to withdraw the proposed trade agreement, arguing that it should prioritise protecting the interests of farmers and other sections dependent on agriculture. They have called for immediate intervention to address their concerns and prevent what they describe as adverse consequences for the rural economy.
(With inputs from PTI)
