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Day After Students, Now Farmers March To Delhi For Mahapanchayat Today; Shambhu Border Sealed, Security Heightened

Thousands of farmers marched towards Delhi for a mahapanchayat against the proposed India-US trade deal as Haryana Police sealed borders, detained BKU leader Gurnam Singh Charuni and tightened security.

A large number of farmers reach Shambhu Border (Punjab-Haryana border) ahead of their scheduled march to Delhi today
Photo : ANI

Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and several other states began marching towards Delhi on Tuesday morning to participate in a mahapanchayat at Kisan Ghat against the proposed India-US trade deal, even as Haryana Police tightened security at the Shambhu border, detained BKU (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni and blocked key highways to prevent the march from reaching the capital.

In a significant shift in strategy, farmers this time chose to travel in buses and private vehicles instead of tractors, with large convoys leaving from Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab from as early as 5 am on Tuesday (July 21). “We have nothing but a flag and a stick. We will keep moving forward. If the government tries to stop us, we are prepared for that too,” said one farmer to Times Now from inside one of the buses.

Shambhu Border Sealed, Charuni Detained

Haryana Police moved swiftly to contain the march, sealing the Shambhu border point between Punjab and Haryana overnight and putting up barricades on the Ghaggar bridge connecting the two states, bringing all movement to a complete halt. Security was tightened across key national highway stretches as police anticipated large numbers of farmers attempting to cross into Haryana.

BKU (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni was detained on Monday evening when his vehicle was intercepted by police on National Highway-152D near Pehowa in Haryana, while he was on his way to Delhi for the mahapanchayat. BKU spokesperson Prince Waraich confirmed the detention, adding that BKU spokesperson Rakesh Bains was also detained and that both leaders were being kept separately. Pehowa SHO Satish Kumar confirmed Charuni’s detention but refused to specify the reason.

Following news of Charuni’s detention, angry farmers from his outfit blocked the Shambhu toll plaza near Ambala, disrupting vehicular traffic before police detained some BKU members at the spot. Farmers also gathered at a toll plaza on the Hisar-Chandigarh stretch of the national highway in Thana village, spread mats on the road and launched a sit-in, raising slogans against the BJP-led Centre.

Ambala DSP Jagbir Singh told ANI, “They have certain demands concerning Delhi, and in this regard, they had blocked the route from Amritsar to Delhi; traffic flow has now been restored… The situation will be handled as it unfolds. We have made full arrangements to maintain law and order…”

Who Is Coming And Why

The mahapanchayat has been called by the Desh Bachao Morcha, an umbrella body of farmer organisations from across the country formed specifically to oppose the proposed India-US trade agreement. Representatives from Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are expected to participate in Tuesday’s rally at Kisan Ghat in Delhi.
Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said farmers from several states including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan would reach Delhi to participate in the rally. “This is not just about one state or one crop. This fight is for every farmer, every agricultural labourer and every small trader in this country,” he said.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com/city/chandigarh/farmers-march-delhi-kisan-mahapanchayat-india-us-trade-deal-shambhu-border-sealed-bku-charuni-article-155143087 

 

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