Farmers retreated from the Haryana-Punjab interstate border at Shambhu after leaders handed over a memorandum to the Haryana government on Tuesday. However, hundreds of farmers continue to remain at the site, sitting on the roadside and engaged in discussions.
Haryana Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana and Ambala Deputy Commissioner Ajay Singh Tomar accepted a memorandum from Desh Bachao Morcha leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher, Gurdhyan Singh Seona and Tejvir Singh at the Shambhu Border in Patiala district on Tuesday.
The farmer leaders demanded the immediate release of detained protest leaders and sought a meeting with the Union Agriculture Minister as part of the ongoing Delhi Chalo agitation against the proposed India–US trade deal.
"We have been informed by union leaders that they will vacate the highways within the next few hours," said a senior Patiala police officer.
Earlier in the day, the border was sealed as farmers from Punjab set out for Delhi to participate in a 'Mahapanchayat' at Kisan Ghat against the proposed India-US trade agreement, triggering traffic disruptions and allegations by farmer unions that the move was intended to stop them from reaching the national capital.
Heavy police deployment was made at the Shambhu border point between Punjab and Haryana, with barricades erected and concrete blocks placed at the bridge over the Ghaggar River. Farmer leaders claimed the interstate border was closed without prior notice, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded in traffic jams on the National Highway and the Chandigarh-Rajpura highway.
Bhartiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) spokesperson Tejveer Singh alleged that the Haryana government had sealed the entry for everyone and was not allowing any vehicles from the Punjab side. "The interstate border has been closed without any prior information, causing inconvenience to commuters and stopping farmers from raising their genuine demands," he said.
Carrying flags of their outfits, farmers from several places in Punjab gathered at the border point in the morning to head towards the national capital. A day-long "Kisan Mahapanchayat" is being organised at Kisan Ghat in Delhi under the banner of “Desh Bachao Morcha”.
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The farmers' convoy departed from Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib on Tuesday morning after more than 1,000 farmers spent the night at the gurdwara's sarai (pilgrims' inn). From the gurdwara, the convoy reached Madhopur near Sirhind on the GT Road before proceeding towards the Shambhu border.
July 21, 2026 5:02 pm
Farmer leaders said they have decided to return after the representatives of Haryana government assured them that talks between farmer unions and the Central government on the proposed Indo-US trade pact would be held within the next week or so. "Following this assurance, we have decided to return and vacate the Shambhu protest site," BKU spokesperson Tejveer Singh said.
July 21, 2026 3:18 pm
Three major toll plazas in Ludhiana district — Ladowal, Chowkiman and Ghulal near Neelon — will remain toll-free for three hours on Wednesday in support of farmers. Jamhuri Kisan Sabha leader Ragbir Singh Benipal said the move is being taken under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), Punjab chapter, in support of the farmers' agitation. He said there would be no inconvenience to the public and no roads would be blocked. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ludhiana/farmers-to-make-three-ludhiana-toll-plazas-free-tomorrow/
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Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar | The blockade at the Shambhu border has caused inconvenience to commuters travelling between Haryana and Punjab. Ambulances have also been affected, with some being forced to take longer routes to reach their destinations. Meanwhile, Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has been imposed by the Ambala district administration in Devi Nagar and surrounding areas. According to Ambala Police, the order has been issued to maintain law and order and will remain in force until July 27.
July 21, 2026 12:28 pm
Mobile network connectivity issues were reported near the Shambhu barricades, though Haryana and Punjab Police have not officially suspended internet services in the area, unlike during the 2024 farmers' protests. Meanwhile, commuters remained stuck in long traffic jams on the highway as well as narrow village lanes due to diversions and heavy movement in the area.
July 21, 2026 12:26 pm
Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar | Haryana Police has warned farmers to stay at least 100 metres away from the barricades at the Shambhu border, after relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were imposed in Ambala district.
July 21, 2026 12:25 pm
Farmers continued their dharna at the Shambhu border despite rain, while hundreds more farmers kept reaching the protest site. Police presence has been intensified on the Haryana side of the border.
July 21, 2026 11:59 am
Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar | Farmers from various organisations block roads after Haryana and Punjab Police barricaded the Shambhu border during their march towards Delhi to participate in the Kisan Mahapanchayat against the proposed India-US trade deal, at Shambhu border in Patiala on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar
July 21, 2026 11:09 am
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) extended its support to the farmers heading to Delhi to participate in a ‘Mahapanchayat’, saying that the farmers’ demands were justified and deserved serious consideration. SAD senior vice-president Daljit Singh Cheema said, “The party stands in solidarity with the farmers and supports their concerns over the proposed trade deal.” He said the Central Government should not sign any agreement that would put Indian farmers at a disadvantage or make it difficult for them to compete with foreign producers.
July 21, 2026 11:08 am
Congress on Tuesday questioned the Centre over the barricading of roads leading to the national capital as farmers from Punjab marched towards Delhi for a mahapanchayat. Congress media and publicity department chairman Pawan Khera alleged that the government had put up barricades to stop farmers from reaching Delhi after Monday's protests by students. "The government has erected barricades to prevent farmers from entering the capital, hoping to avoid another embarrassment after yesterday's disgraceful display of brute force and violence against the youth of this country," said Khera on X. ".....this government has failed India's youth, failed our farmers, and failed every section of society except a privileged handful of its crony friends," said Khera.
July 21, 2026 10:19 am
Addressing the gathering at Shambhu, BKU leaders alleged that the BJP governments in Haryana and at the Centre were trying to stop farmers from undertaking a peaceful march to Delhi. "We are only going to participate in the Mahapanchayat called against the proposed India-US trade deal. We still don't understand why they are trying to stop us," the leaders said as hundreds of farmers raised slogans against the Haryana government.
July 21, 2026 10:17 am
A group of farmers travelling to Delhi in buses under the banner of BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) was stopped by the Kurukshetra Police at Shahabad. The farmers said they were determined to reach Delhi, alleging that the Haryana government had erected barricades to prevent them from proceeding. They asserted that they would not return and would continue to stage a sit-in on the National Highway. A heavy police force has been deployed in the area to stop the farmers.
July 21, 2026 9:43 am
In a repeat of the 2024 protests, the police have not attempted to stop farmers from various parts of Punjab as they continue marching towards the Shambhu border. Meanwhile, the Haryana Police have fortified the Ghaggar overbridge at the same location that was heavily barricaded during the previous farmers' agitation.
July 21, 2026 9:32 am
The farmers' convoy departed from Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib on Tuesday morning after more than 1,000 farmers spent the night at the gurdwara's sarai (pilgrims' inn). From the gurdwara, the convoy reached Madhopur near Sirhind on the GT Road before proceeding towards the Shambhu border.
July 21, 2026 9:29 am
Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar | Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher slammed the Haryana government for barricading the Shambhu border to prevent farmers from travelling to Delhi for the Kisan Mahapanchayat against the proposed India-US trade deal. Farmer leaders had earlier said participants from several places, including Punjab and Haryana, would take part in the Mahapanchayat. Speaking to reporters in Fatehgarh Sahib, Pandher said farmers wanted to proceed peacefully to Delhi, but the Haryana government was stopping them at the Shambhu border. He alleged that the blockade exposed the "true face" of Haryana CM Nayab Saini, who frequently visits Punjab and makes tall promises to its people. He added that the future course of action would be decided after consulting other farmer leaders upon reaching the Shambhu border.
July 21, 2026 9:24 am
Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory in view of a demonstration scheduled at Kisan Ghat, informing commuters of possible diversions and congestion on several key stretches. According to the advisory, traffic is likely to be diverted from Delhi Gate, Rajghat Crossing, Guru Nanak Chowk, Shantivan Chowk, Rajghat DTC Depot and the IP Flyover. Motorists have also been advised to avoid Satyagrah Marg, Velodrome Road, Rajghat DTC Depot Road, Rajghat DTC Bypass Road and surrounding stretches, where traffic movement is expected to be affected due to the gathering. The Traffic Police urged commuters heading towards the airport, railway stations and adjoining areas to plan their journey in advance and use navigation applications for real-time traffic updates.
July 21, 2026 9:22 am
Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni was detained by the police in Haryana's Kurukshetra district on Monday while he was on his way to Delhi to attend the farmers' mahapanchayat against the proposed India-US trade deal, triggering protests at several places. BKU spokesperson Prince Waraich said Charuni's vehicle was intercepted by the police on National Highway-152D near Pehowa. "He was taken into custody. Later, he was escorted away by police officials," Waraich said. SHO, Sadar, Pehowa, Satish Kumar confirmed that Charuni had been detained but declined to specify the reason.
July 21, 2026 9:17 am
Patiala SSP Varun Sharma said Rajpura police and the traffic wing had been deployed to manage traffic diversions following the blockade. "As soon as we received information about the blockade imposed by the Haryana administration, we diverted traffic," the SSP said.
July 21, 2026 9:15 am
Farmers continued to gather near the Shambhu police post on Tuesday, raising slogans against the Haryana government over the blockade of the highway near the Ghaggar bridge.
July 21, 2026 9:14 am
The Kurukshetra Police detained a group of farmers travelling from Pehowa to Delhi in a bus to participate in the 'mahapanchayat'. BKU (Pehowa) spokesperson Prince Waraich said, "We were on our way to Delhi in a bus, but we were detained by the police in Kurukshetra and taken to the police lines. The Haryana government has been stopping farmers from raising their issues and concerns. We will continue to protest and wait for further directions."
July 21, 2026 9:00 am
Farmer unions reiterated their opposition to the proposed India-US trade agreement, arguing that the agricultural economies and farming conditions in the two countries are vastly different. "American agriculture operates on a much bigger scale, with farms spread across hundreds of acres and backed by strong government subsidies. In India, most farmers own only two to three acres of land and receive far less financial support. If cheaper agricultural imports from the US are allowed to enter the Indian market under the agreement, small Indian farmers would struggle to compete, leading to a sharp decline in farm incomes," union members said.
July 21, 2026 8:48 am
Hundreds of commuters were caught unaware and stranded in traffic jams on the National Highway and the Chandigarh-Rajpura highway following the closure of the Shambhu border. "I had to reach Delhi to drop my cousin, and now we are being diverted through villages to reach Gurugram airport. They could have diverted traffic earlier when they knew the Shambhu route would be shut," said Jaskaran Singh, a resident of Jalandhar. "Now I am not sure if we will be able to reach the airport by 2 pm despite starting in the wee hours today," he added.
July 21, 2026 8:46 am
Farmer union leaders have urged protesters to use alternate routes via Zirakpur or the Katra-Delhi Expressway to reach Delhi for the 'mahapanchayat'. "Those near Rajpura should reach Shambhu," said Tejveer Singh, spokesperson of the BKU faction spearheading the march. The appeal comes after Haryana sealed the Shambhu border hours before a large contingent of Punjab farmers was expected to reach Delhi for at Kisan Ghat against the proposed India-US trade agreement. The gathering has been called by the Desh Bachao Morcha, with organisers claiming that around 550 farmers' unions and social organisations from across the country will participate.
July 21, 2026 8:36 am
According to the advisory, travellers heading towards Punjab from Delhi can take the Ambala Cantonment-Chandigarh-Lalru-Dera Bassi-Zirakpur route. Those travelling from Punjab to Delhi have been advised to use the Rajpura-Lalru-Dera Bassi-Zirakpur-Ambala Cantonment route. Commuters can also use Lalru and Dera Bassi as alternative entry points into Punjab before continuing their journey.