Wed Mar 05 05:33:50 UTC 2025: **Chandigarh Farmers’ Protest Blocked by Police**
Chandigarh, March 5, 2025 – A planned farmers’ protest in Chandigarh was thwarted today as police prevented members of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) from reaching the city. The SKM, representing over 30 farmer organizations, intended to begin a week-long sit-in to demand various agricultural reforms.
Barricades were erected at the Chandigarh-Mohali border, and security was significantly increased in anticipation of the protest. Farmers, attempting to reach Chandigarh in tractors and other vehicles, reported being stopped by Punjab Police. Reports indicate some farmers were detained.
The protest, demanding the withdrawal of a national agricultural marketing policy, a legal guarantee of minimum support prices (MSP) based on the Swaminathan Commission report, and other agricultural reforms, was met with strong opposition from the Punjab government.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticized the frequent protests, claiming they harm the state’s economy. He made this statement after talks between the government and SKM leaders broke down on Monday.
Despite a traffic advisory issued by Chandigarh Police, farmers were prevented from reaching their designated protest site in Sector 34. Several farmer leaders, including Balbir Singh Rajewal, were detained on Tuesday. SKM leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan urged farmers to sit peacefully if stopped, avoiding roadblocks. The Chandigarh administration denied permission for the sit-in. The SKM’s demands also include debt settlement, land ownership rights, canal water access, sugarcane arrears payments, and compensation for farmers who died during the 2020-21 protests.
First Piper 