Police stop Delhi march with barricades; several farmers detained as tension rises at border points

Chandigarh, 21 July (H.S.): Thousands of farmers from different districts of Punjab gathered at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders on Tuesday to protest the proposed India-US trade deal and march towards Delhi. Police stopped the protesters by erecting multiple layers of barricades, leading to tense scenes at both border points.Despite heavy rainfall, farmers began a sit-in at the Shambhu border after being prevented from moving towards the national capital. Several protesters who allegedly attempted to cross the barricades and enter Haryana were detained by police.The Ambala administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 at the Shambhu border until July 27.The Shambhu border had earlier remained closed for nearly 13 months, or around 401 days, because of the farmers’ agitation. It was sealed on February 13, 2024, and reopened on March 20, 2025, following directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The border has now been temporarily closed again.Police have also placed several farmer leaders under house arrest in districts across Punjab and Haryana. Farmers had started reaching the Shambhu border on the Patiala-Ambala route and the Khanauri border on the Sangrur-Jind route early in the morning to proceed towards Kisan Ghat in Delhi.After receiving information about the march, Haryana Police sealed both border points with barricades. Heavy police deployment was made on the Haryana side, while JCB machines, anti-riot vehicles and tear gas teams were also stationed at the protest sites.Farmers arriving from various parts of Punjab have now assembled at Shambhu and Khanauri, where preparations are reportedly underway to establish a permanent protest camp. The agitation is being led by Kisan Mazdoor Morcha coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher.The closure of the Shambhu border has disrupted vehicular movement on the Jalandhar-Delhi National Highway. Haryana Police have diverted traffic to alternative routes to prevent congestion.Meanwhile, farmer leaders held a meeting with Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana. After the meeting, Pandher said the minister had assured them that the detained farmer leaders would be released soon.Pandher said the future course of the agitation would be decided after the release of farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni. He added that the proposed India-US trade deal would also be discussed during further talks.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH