Farmers affiliated with unions under the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) made over 40 toll plazas in Punjab toll-free for five hours on Tuesday, protesting against the Centre and the state government.

From 11 am to 4 pm, vehicles were allowed free passage as farmers demonstrated against the proposed Indo-US trade deal, the state’s land pooling policy and alleged irregularities in the land mortgage bank. Protesters gathered at toll plazas across the state, raising slogans against both governments.

At Ladhowal in Ludhiana, farmers said the land pooling policy was designed to forcibly acquire their land. They also opposed the Indo-US trade deal, claiming it would harm farmers and dairy producers.

In Bathinda, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s live address was broadcast on screens at several toll plazas. BKU (Ekta-Sidhupur) state general secretary Kaka Singh Kotra said farmers made the Lehra Bega, Jassi Baghwali, Balluana and Sheikhpura plazas toll-free as part of the protest.

Meanwhile, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced that a motorcycle march would be held in Punjab and other states on Wednesday to oppose the Indo-US trade deal.