Chandigarh: Hundreds of farmers gathered at Chandigarh’s Sector 34 Exhibition Ground on Friday in response to a call by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) to protest against the proposed India-US trade deal.
The protest was led by SKM leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan. Farmers assembled at Sector 34 before moving in a convoy of buses, tractor-trolleys and other vehicles towards Matka Chowk in Sector 17.
The Chandigarh Administration had granted permission for the rally only up to Matka Chowk, restricting the march to the approved route.
Heavy police deployment was made at both Sector 34 and Matka Chowk, with barricades erected to maintain law and order. During the rally, several farmers were also seen travelling on the roofs of buses.
After reaching Matka Chowk, the protesters returned to the Sector 34 Exhibition Ground, where a public meeting was held as per the scheduled programme.
The administration had permitted the rally between 12:30 pm and 2 pm. Traffic diversions were enforced on several key roads during the protest, leading to congestion in parts of the city as police implemented special traffic arrangements.
