Security has been tightened along the Punjab-Haryana border at Khanauri on Sunday as hundreds of farmers gathered for the proposed ‘Kisan Bachao Padyatra’ to Delhi, prompting Haryana Police to seal the crossing with multi-layered barricading.
Farmers associated with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non–political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha assembled on the Punjab side of the border. Authorities, however, prevented them from entering Haryana, deploying concrete blocks, chained metal barriers, riot-control personnel, water cannons and other security equipment.
Jind Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Singh said the protesters would not be permitted to cross into Haryana and proceed towards Delhi. He said a substantial police contingent had been deployed near the Narwana canal bridge and that security arrangements had been strengthened to prevent any attempt to breach the barricades.
According to the SP, the farmer organisations had not obtained permission for the proposed march, based on the information available to the police.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political), led by Jagjit Singh Dallewal, has announced the 228-km ‘Kisan Bachao Padyatra’ from the Khanauri-Data Singhwala border. The march is scheduled to begin on August 16 and culminate at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on August 29.
The farmers are seeking a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP), opposing proposed free-trade agreements, including the proposed India-US trade deal, and demanding the release of detained farmer leaders. The organisations have said the agitation is aimed at highlighting broader concerns related to agricultural policies and farmers’ interests.
The heightened security at Khanauri comes amid renewed tensions along the Punjab-Haryana border. The crossing is an important link between the two states, and restrictions are expected to disrupt traffic and movement in the area.
Authorities have advised commuters travelling through the border region to remain alert and comply with directions issued by the police and local administration. Security personnel are expected to maintain a close watch on developments as the farmers’ march unfolds.
The latest mobilisation also comes against the backdrop of farmers’ protests in other states. In Madhya Pradesh, farmers recently marched from Narmadapuram towards Bhopal over demands concerning procurement of moong at MSP and the fertiliser distribution system.
The Madhya Pradesh protesters had demanded 100 per cent procurement of moong at MSP, withdrawal of the fertiliser e-token system and distribution of fertilisers based on land records. Police stopped the march near the CSIR-AMPRI Institute in Bhopal, following which the farmers staged a sit-in on the Bhopal-Narmadapuram highway.
