Ahead of the farmers’ proposed protest at Kisan Ghat in Delhi on Tuesday against the proposed India-US trade deal, the Haryana Police on Monday detained Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni.

A coalition of farmers’ and farm labourers’ organisations from across the country has formed the Desh Bachao Morcha to oppose the proposed trade agreement. As part of its nationwide campaign, the coalition had called upon farmers from across the country to assemble at Kisan Ghat on July 21 to press the Centre to reconsider the proposed deal.

According to the union, Charuni was on his way to Delhi when he was detained by the police at Pehowa in Kurukshetra district and taken to a police station. The union’s spokesperson, Rakesh Bains, was also detained.

Following the detentions, the union called for the blockade of toll plazas in Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh in protest against the police action.

BKU (Charuni) Ambala district president Malkit Singh, who led a protest at the Shambhu toll plaza, said, “The farmers union have given the call of holding a peaceful protest at Kisan Ghat in Delhi, to mark protest against the India-US trade deal. But the police have detained Gurnam Singh Charuni to stop the farmers from holding the peaceful protest.”

The blockade disrupted traffic for some time, forcing diversions for commuters. Later, Malkit Singh and several other protesting farmers were detained, following which traffic movement was restored.

Union leader Gulab Singh said, “The police have detained us but the union will continue to protest and the members of the union will reach Delhi in large numbers on Tuesday to participate in the protest at Kisan Ghat.”

Meanwhile, BKU (Charuni) Yamunanagar district president Sanju Gundiana said, “The Milk Majra toll plaza was blocked to protest against the police action. However later the unions have decided to vacate the toll plazas and make preparations to reach Delhi in large numbers to avoid getting arrested at the toll plazas.” BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) spokesperson Tejveer Singh alleged that the authorities were attempting to derail the protest.

“The government has been trying to weaken the agitation by detaining the leaders. We have come to know that the police will try to stop the farmers coming from Punjab by installing barricades at Haryana-Punjab interstate border. We are determined to reach Delhi in large numbers,” he said.

DSP (Crime), Ambala, Virender Sharma said the protesting farmers at the Shambhu toll plaza were asked to vacate the site, but refused. “They were removed from the toll plaza and traffic movement was restored,” he said.