The Haryana-Punjab interstate border at Shambhu remained sealed on Tuesday as farmers from Punjab headed towards Delhi to participate in a ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ at Kisan Ghat against the proposed India-US trade agreement. The move triggered traffic disruptions and drew sharp criticism from farmer unions and Opposition parties, who alleged the action was aimed at preventing farmers from reaching the national capital.
Heavy police deployment was made at the Shambhu border, with barricades and cement blocks placed on the bridge over the Ghaggar river. Haryana Police also issued warnings to farmers against attempting to breach security arrangements.
Farmer leaders alleged that the interstate border was closed without prior notice, leading to long traffic jams on the National Highway and the Chandigarh-Rajpura highway. Bhartiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) spokesperson Tejveer Singh claimed the Haryana government had stopped all vehicles coming from the Punjab side. “The border has been closed without prior information, causing inconvenience to commuters and preventing farmers from raising their genuine demands,” he said.
Carrying flags of their respective organisations, farmers from different parts of Punjab gathered at the Shambhu border before proceeding towards Delhi. The day-long ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ is being organised under the banner of the “Desh Bachao Morcha”.
The farmers’ convoy began its journey from Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib on Tuesday morning after more than 1,000 farmers spent the night at the gurdwara’s sarai. The convoy travelled via Madhopur near Sirhind on the GT Road before reaching the Shambhu border.
Backing the farmers, former Haryana Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda said farmers’ demands were genuine and urged the Centre to hold talks with them. He also reiterated the demand for a legal guarantee of the minimum support price (MSP), saying every citizen had the democratic right to protest peacefully.
Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala also criticised the Haryana government, alleging that farmers opposing the proposed India-US trade agreement were being stopped from reaching Delhi. In a post on X, he termed the action a betrayal of the farming community.
Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) national president Abhay Singh Chautala compared the proposed India-US trade agreement with the three farm laws that were later repealed following prolonged protests. He accused the Centre of suppressing the voices of farmers and other sections of society.
