SHAMBHU: Hundreds of farmers from Punjab were stopped by Haryana Police at the Shambhu border on Tuesday while attempting to march to Delhi for a Kisan Mahapanchayat organised to oppose the proposed India US trade agreement.
Heavy barricading was put in place at the Punjab Haryana border, recalling the extensive security arrangements seen during the 2024 Delhi Chalo farmers’ agitation. Unable to proceed towards the national capital, the protesters converted the Shambhu border into a demonstration site, accusing the Haryana and Punjab governments of restricting their democratic right to assemble.
Farmer leaders alleged that barricades had been erected within Punjab’s territory and criticised the Punjab government for not intervening. While convoys from Punjab were prevented from crossing, farmers from Haryana, including those from Ambala, Kurukshetra and nearby districts, continued their journey to Delhi.
The Kisan Mahapanchayat has been organised under the banner of the Desh Bachao Morcha, bringing together farmer organisations from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The groups are demanding that the Centre abandon the proposed India US trade agreement, arguing that it could have serious consequences for India’s agricultural sector.
According to farmer leaders, the proposed agreement could include negotiations on agriculture, dairy, industry, digital trade, e commerce, investment, government procurement, intellectual property rights and services. They expressed concern that greater access for subsidised American agricultural and dairy products could affect the livelihoods of millions of Indian farmers, particularly small and marginal cultivators.
The organisations also highlighted the importance of India’s dairy sector, which supports nearly 80 million rural families, warning that any adverse impact could extend to dairy producers, food processors, small traders and other rural enterprises.
The Desh Bachao Morcha has urged the Central Government to make all documents related to the proposed trade agreement public and refrain from signing any deal until detailed consultations are held with farmers, dairy producers, workers, traders and other stakeholders.
