Chandigarh: A march led by Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) towards Bathinda city was stopped by police on Wednesday as farmers attempted to stage a dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
After being halted, the protesters sat on a dharna on the Bathinda-Chandigarh highway near Rampura Phul, raising slogans in support of their demands. A heavy police force was deployed to prevent the march from proceeding further, but farmers refused to disperse.
Tension escalated at Jindod village, where clashes broke out between protesters and police personnel. According to officials, police sent additional forces to the area. Tear gas shells were fired after incidents of stone-pelting were reported, and several farmers were taken into custody.
The SSP said police used minimum force to control the situation and restore order.
With the highway blocked, traffic from Bathinda to Chandigarh was diverted through village routes. Separate incidents of scuffles between farmers and police were reported in Samana in Patiala district and in Sheron village of Sangrur, where several protesters were detained.
The farmers’ primary demand is the immediate release of two jailed colleagues — Baldev Singh of Chaoke village and Shagandeep Singh of Jind village — who have been in custody for over nine months.
Police said the situation remains under watch and further action will be taken as per law.
