Punjab farmers protest: Heavy security, barricades prevent protesters from entering Chandigarh

NEW DELHI: Farmers affiliated with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha on Wednesday said they were not being allowed to move towards Chandigarh for a scheduled 'dharna' in support of their demands.
Authorities have strengthened security and erected barricades at the Chandigarh-Mohali border points.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), comprising over 30 farmer organisations, has announced a week-long protest in Chandigarh beginning March 5 to address their various concerns.
The organisation reported that Punjab Police were stopping farmers who departed for Chandigarh in tractor-trolleys and vehicles on Wednesday morning.

Krantikari Kisan Union's Moga district president Jatinder Singh stated that police halted them at Ajitwal in Moga district whilst travelling to Chandigarh. Singh alleged that police had "detained" some protesters.
Demonstrators voiced their opposition to the Bhagwant Mann government's decision to prevent their journey to Chandigarh. Police also prevented farmers in Samrala from proceeding to Chandigarh.
The Chandigarh administration has not permitted farmers to conduct their protest at Sector 34.

The Chandigarh Police issued a traffic advisory on Tuesday, indicating possible traffic regulation on certain roads on March 5 to maintain smooth vehicle movement and public safety.
On Tuesday, Punjab Police "detained" numerous farmer leaders, including Balbir Singh Rajewal, Ruldu Singh Mansa, Gurmeet Singh Bhatiwal, Nachhttar Singh Jaiton, Veerpal Singh Dhillon, Binder Singh Golewal and Gurnam Bhikhi.
SKM leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan urged farmer leaders on Tuesday to proceed towards Chandigarh.
He advised farmers to occupy vacant spaces if stopped by police en route to Chandigarh, instructing them to avoid road blockades.
Mann criticised various farmer groups on Tuesday for frequent protests, stating that Punjab had become a "state of dharnas" causing substantial losses.
Mann's criticism followed the breakdown of discussions between the Punjab government and Samyukta Kisam Morcha leaders regarding farmers' demands on Monday.
The SKM, which spearheaded the 2020 protest against the now-repealed farm laws, seeks several changes including withdrawal of the Centre's agricultural marketing framework draft, MSP guarantees per Swaminathan Commission recommendations, state agricultural policy implementation, and government purchase of six crops including basmati, maize, moong, and potato at minimum support prices.
Additional demands include debt settlement legislation, land rights for tillers, canal water access, sugarcane payment clearance, halting "forcible" land acquisition for Bharatmala projects, and compensation for families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 protests.