NEW DELHI: Haryana Police on Tuesday stopped farmers from entering Delhi by strengthening security at the Shambhu border, where barricades and cement blocks were placed to prevent them from travelling to the national capital for a ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ against the proposed India-US trade deal.Hundreds of farmers from different parts of Punjab gathered at the Shambhu border carrying the flags of their respective organisations before setting out for Delhi. The day-long ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ has been organised at Kisan Ghat under the banner of the Desh Bachao Morcha.A large police presence was deployed at the Punjab-Haryana border, while the bridge over the Ghaggar river was fenced off to stop the convoy from moving forward.Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher accused the Haryana government of preventing protesters from exercising their democratic right to march peacefully to Delhi.He alleged that the action exposed the “true face” of chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, claiming that despite making promises to the people of Punjab, his government was blocking farmers from reaching the protest venue.Pandher said farmers were demanding that the proposed India-US trade agreement be scrapped completely, arguing that it would harm the country’s agricultural sector.Leaders had earlier said farmers from Punjab, Haryana and several other states would participate in the Mahapanchayat. Hundreds of farmers had planned to travel to Delhi by bus.Bharatiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) leader Tejveer Singh claimed the Haryana Police sealed the Shambhu border without giving any prior notice.Meanwhile, Union minister Kiren Rijiju said that the govenrment “prioritised the farmers’s interest” and that any FTA was signed “ensuring that these agreements serve the best interests of both the farmers and the nation”.“The Prime Minister addressed several significant issues and offered his guidance. He highlighted the successes the country has achieved in recent months and spoke about the FTAs signed with various nations. Regarding these agreements, the Prime Minister assured that the interests of farmers would be prioritised; he emphasised that no harm would come to them. He stated that the welfare of farmers remains paramount in any FTA signed with any country, ensuring that these agreements serve the best interests of both the farmers and the nation,” Union minister Kiren Rijiju said while addressing media after NDA parliamentary party meeting.The farmers’ convoy began its journey from Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, where more than 1,000 farmers had stayed overnight before leaving for Delhi. The convoy travelled via Madhopur near Sirhind before reaching the Shambhu border.Farmers in Kurukshetra also claimed they were stopped near Jyotisar while attempting to join the protest.In view of the demonstrations, Haryana Police issued a traffic advisory and suggested alternate routes for commuters travelling between Punjab, Haryana and Delhi to minimise disruption.On Monday, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni was detained by police in Kurukshetra while travelling to Delhi for the Mahapanchayat.The outfit’s spokesperson, Prince Waraich, alleged that Haryana Police had detained several workers to stop them from participating in the protest.Farmers have strongly opposed the proposed India-US trade agreement, claiming it could allow cheaper agricultural imports into India, reduce the income of domestic farmers and weaken the country’s agricultural economy.They argued that the agreement could affect not only agriculture and dairy but also sectors such as industry, digital trade, e-commerce, government procurement, intellectual property rights and services.The protesting farmers urged the Centre to abandon the proposed trade deal, saying it should protect the interests of farmers, agricultural labourers, livestock rearers, small traders and ordinary citizens.The security arrangements at the Shambhu border were similar to those put in place in February 2024, when farmers were stopped from marching to Delhi during their agitation demanding a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
