The Punjab-Haryana interstate border at Shambhu was closed on Tuesday as Punjab farmers began their protest march for Delhi to take part in a 'mahapanchayat' at Kisan Ghat against the proposed India-US trade agreement. Farmers quickly alleged that the closing of the Shambhu crossing was intentional and aimed at disrupting them from reaching the national capital.
The Ambala Police installed barricades at the Shambhu border to restrict the farmers from entering Haryana, while the farmer bodies allege that it was closed without any prior notice.
Sources on Tuesday said that hundreds of vehicles and commuters were seen stranded in traffic jams on the Chandigarh-Rajpura National Highway.
Bhartiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) spokesperson Tejveer Singh said that the Haryana government's move to seal the border with Punjab is disappointing.
"The interstate border between the two states has been closed unilaterally and without due notice, causing immense difficulties to travellers, while silencing farmers from raising their legitimate demands," he said.
The spokesperson also alleged that barricades to restrict traffic have also been erected inside Punjab territory, and that the government must come forward and clarify its stance on the issue.
Police officials at the border, as per fresh inputs, were diverting the traffic through other routes, but they have not specified the reasons for the diversion.
Hundreds of unaware commuters were caught and stranded in traffic jams on the national highway, since there was no prior intimation from the authorities that the border crossing would be sealed on Tuesday amid the farmers' march.
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.
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