Farmers marching towards Shambhu police station detained in Rajpura and Moga; heavy police deployment across Punjab | Live Updates
May 6, 2025 02:01 PM
Police detain farmers en route to protest in Muktsar
May 6, 2025 12:15 PM
18 farmers detained in Rajpura
Farmer unions had announced a plan to gherao the Shambhu police station on May 5. In anticipation, tight security was imposed today, with at least eight checkpoints set up on all routes leading to Shambhu. Farmers were not allowed to proceed toward the police station.
During a blockade on the Amritsar-Delhi National Highway in Rajpura, the police detained 18 farmers. The action was led by Gurmeet Singh, officer-in charge of Sadar police station. Those detained were taken to the City Police Station.
Among the detainees was Harjit Singh, unit head of Khojepur, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Sidhupur), along with his aides. Gurmeet Singh confirmed that around 18 farmers were taken into custody and no one was allowed to proceed toward Shambhu for the protest. Vehicle inspections (buses and cars) were underway since morning.
Gurmeet Singh, in-charge, Sadar police station, said: "Around 18 farmers have been detained and sent to the City Police Station. No one is being allowed to reach Shambhu police station."
Farmer leader Harjit Singh, unit head, Khojepur, BKU Sidhupur, said, "Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has crossed all limits. Today, we were marching toward Shambhu police station for a peaceful protest, but the police detained us and politicised the situation. The Punjab Government has completely crossed all democratic boundaries."
May 6, 2025 10:29 AM
Heavy police deployment at Rajpura entry point
A large number of police personnel have set up blockades at the entry point of Rajpura on the Amritsar–Delhi National Highway. Trucks filled with soil have been stationed to block the roads, aiming to prevent farmer unions from reaching Shambhu police station, which they had announced to gherao today. The police are also checking cars and buses at the blockade.
May 6, 2025 10:28 AM
Farmer leader Rana Ranbir Singh Thatta arrested by police
Punjab state general secretary of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Rana Ranbir Singh Thatta, and the president of the Dharamkot zone, Gurmel Singh Talwandi Mallian, have been arrested by the police from Ajitwal (Moga).
May 6, 2025 10:27 AM
May 6, 2025 10:27 AM
Farmers heading to gherao Shambhu police station stopped
Farmers, who were on their way to gherao the Shambhu police station today in protest against the alleged false FIRs registered against them at the Shambhu border, were stopped by the Ajitwal police at the local grain market. It is worth mentioning that, in response to a call given by various farmers’ organisations, groups of farmers were moving towards different police stations to stage protests. However, police forces intervened and prevented them from reaching their destinations. Sources also confirm that since yesterday, the Moga police have detained several farmer leaders — some have been arrested from their homes, while others have been held at police stations.
May 6, 2025 07:49 AM
On the other hand, in a statement posted on social media, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann cautioned that any protests, strikes, or demonstrations in the state that involve blocking roads or railways, or cause public inconvenience and disruption to daily life, would be treated as actions against the public interest. “All organisations, unions, and groups are advised to take note. There are other ways to express dissent — causing hardship to the people is unacceptable. Otherwise, be prepared for strict legal action,” Mann warned.
May 6, 2025 07:48 AM
The arrests are being viewed as a pre-emptive move by authorities amid concerns over a potential large-scale mobilisation at Shambhu, the site where farmers’ unions had held a 400-day sit-in protest from February 13, 2024, to March 19, 2025. The agitation, which centred around demands for a legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other key issues, was forcibly dismantled on March 19. The clearance operation came shortly after several senior farmer leaders, who were returning from negotiations with the Centre and the Punjab government in Mohali, were detained en route.
May 6, 2025 07:47 AM
The May 6 protest has been called against the Punjab Government over its alleged use of repressive methods to evict protesting farmers from Shambhu and Khanauri border points in March.
PTC Web Desk: Farmers from across Punjab are set to march towards the Shambhu police station today, responding to a united call by leaders to peacefully gherao (encircle) the station for a day. Anticipating possible confrontations, the authorities have deployed large numbers of police personnel and set up extensive barricading on key routes leading to Shambhu from districts including Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Moga, Harike, Jagraon, and Ludhiana.
Farmer leaders have issued clear instructions to demonstrators to sit on roads in protest if intercepted by police forces. The mobilisation follows mounting tensions between farmers and law enforcement over pending demands and ongoing agitation.
In a bid to foil the planned gherao and the proposed ‘Rail Roko’ (rail blockade) protest, the Punjab Police conducted late-night crackdowns over the past two days, arresting several farmer leaders. Among those detained or placed under house arrest are prominent leaders such as jagjit Singh Dallewal and Baldev Sirsa, both of whom are reportedly unwell and have been confined to their homes under preventive measures.
Police sources indicate that the state administration aims to maintain law and order while averting disruptions to public movement and essential services.
The situation remains tense with both sides preparing for a standoff, even as farmer unions reiterate their call for a peaceful and democratic demonstration.
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- PTC NEWS
