Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Authorities have stepped up security arrangements at the Shambhu Border ahead of a fresh round of farmers’ protests against the proposed India–US trade agreement. With protest groups planning demonstrations on Monday, the Haryana Police have strengthened border checkpoints to prevent any attempt to move towards Delhi.
Multiple layers of barricades have been erected at the interstate border, while a large number of police personnel have been deployed to monitor the situation. Earth-moving equipment, including JCB machines, has also been stationed near the barricades as a precautionary measure in case protesters attempt to remove or cross the barriers.
Farmer organisations, meanwhile, have revised their action plan after assessing the heavy security presence. Instead of a joint march from both states, farmers from Haryana will continue their movement towards Delhi, while Punjab-based protesters will gather at the Shambhu Border to register their opposition.
The decision is being viewed as a tactical adjustment aimed at sustaining the protest while avoiding immediate confrontation at a single location. Farmer leaders maintain that their agitation is directed against the proposed trade arrangement, which they believe could adversely impact the country’s agricultural sector.
As groups of farmers began assembling, the atmosphere around the border remained tense but peaceful. Security agencies continued to keep a close watch on developments, while officials urged demonstrators to maintain order and cooperate with law enforcement personnel.
The latest mobilisation marks another chapter in the ongoing farmers’ campaign, with both the protesters and the administration preparing for a day of heightened activity along one of the region’s most closely watched border points.
