Hundreds of farmers are preparing for a 228-km march to Delhi, initiating a 'Kisan Bachao Padyatra' to protest the India-US trade deal and voice demands for a legal MSP guarantee and farm loan waivers. The Punjab-Haryana border, particularly the Khanauri checkpoint, has been heavily fortified by Haryana Police with multi-layered barricades and riot control measures to obstruct their movement. Despite the heightened security and potential traffic disruptions, farmer leaders have vowed a peaceful procession, with the march set to commence on August 16 and conclude at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on August 29, drawing attention to long-standing agricultural grievances.

Hundreds of farmers are preparing for a 228-km march to Delhi, initiating a 'Kisan Bachao Padyatra' to protest the India-US trade deal and voice demands for a legal MSP guarantee and farm loan waivers. The Punjab-Haryana border, particularly the Khanauri checkpoint, has been heavily fortified by Haryana Police with multi-layered barricades and riot control measures to obstruct their movement. Despite the heightened security and potential traffic disruptions, farmer leaders have vowed a peaceful procession, with the march set to commence on August 16 and conclude at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on August 29, drawing attention to long-standing agricultural grievances.

Hundreds of farmers are preparing for a 228-km march to Delhi, initiating a 'Kisan Bachao Padyatra' to protest the India-US trade deal and voice demands for a legal MSP guarantee and farm loan waivers. The Punjab-Haryana border, particularly the Khanauri checkpoint, has been heavily fortified by Haryana Police with multi-layered barricades and riot control measures to obstruct their movement. Despite the heightened security and potential traffic disruptions, farmer leaders have vowed a peaceful procession, with the march set to commence on August 16 and conclude at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on August 29, drawing attention to long-standing agricultural grievances.

Ahead of the farmers' planned 228-km march to Delhi on Sunday, tensions flared along the Punjab-Haryana border as Haryana Police sealed the Khanauri checkpoint to prevent their advance. 

Hundreds of farmers gathered at the border under the banners of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukta Kisan Morcha, vowing to march ahead despite attempts by authorities to stop them on the Punjab side.

The move comes after farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal announced that they would begin 'Kisan Bachao Padyatra' from Sunday to protest against the India-US trade deal. 

Security arrangements were tightened with the installation of multi-layered barricades, concrete blocks, and chained metal barriers, alongside the deployment of riot control units. 

According to farmer leaders, the padyatra will begin from Data Singhwala on August 16 and is scheduled to reach Jantar Mantar in Delhi on August 29. The first night halt of the yatra is scheduled at Belarkha village. 

Police have installed five-layer barricades at the Khanauri border due to concerns over traffic disruptions and law and order.

Meanwhile, the farmers' organisations have assured that the march will be conducted peacefully. 

Farmer groups said 51 representatives will march the entire distance on foot, backed by a large group of farmers and volunteers providing support along the way. 

The Khanauri border is a key route connecting Punjab and Haryana, and the restrictions there are likely to affect the movement between the two states. 

Commuters travelling through the border area have been advised to remain alert and follow instructions issued by police and local administration.  

What are the farmers' demands? 

The proposed march is linked to several long-standing agricultural demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and farm loan waivers. 

Farmer leaders have also announced the march in opposition to the India-US trade deal. The latest mobilisation comes against the backdrop of previous clashes between protesters and police.

Protesting over MSP procurement for moong and the mandatory fertiliser e-token system, farmers in Madhya Pradesh recently marched toward Bhopal to gherao the residence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. 

On July 28, farmers began marching from Narmadapuram toward Bhopal, demanding 100 per cent procurement of moong at MSP, the scrapping of the e-token system for fertilisers, and the distribution of fertilisers based on land records. 

As the marchers advanced toward the CM's residence the next day, police intercepted them near Bhopal's CSIR-AMPRI Institute. In response, the protesting farmers staged a sit-in on the Bhopal-Narmadapuram highway. 

There were also reports that a confrontation had earlier taken place in Hisar, where the SP and DSP were injured after stone-pelting. 

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