Shambu, May 5 — Police intensified security measures across key routes in Punjab on Monday, detaining farmer leaders and setting up special checkpoints a day before a planned protest by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) outside the Shambhu police station.
Authorities termed the early-morning action a “routine measure to maintain law and order,” but farmer representatives described it as a preemptive crackdown aimed at stifling dissent.
“We were completely caught off guard,” said a local leader, speaking on condition of anonymity. “By the time we woke up, our roads were blocked and leaders were confined to their homes.”
Special nakas (checkpoints) were set up on major roads including Ludhiana-Malerkotla, Malerkotla-Khanna, Ahmedgarh-Raikot, and Kup-Payal, according to Malerkotla Deputy Superintendent of Police (Special Branch).
Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a prominent face of the SKM (Non-Political), confirmed his house arrest in a video uploaded at around 4 a.m. Monday. “They didn’t inform us; they just arrived and locked us in,” he said.
The SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (Bharat) had announced plans on Saturday to stage a protest at the Shambhu police station on Tuesday. The demonstration is aimed at condemning what they describe as repressive tactics used during the recent farmer agitation and demanding accountability for police excesses.
Despite no official word on arrests, at least six farmer leaders were reported to have been confined to their homes across the district, sources said. Police, however, maintained the steps were preventive and necessary.
“We are taking every measure to ensure peace is maintained,” said a senior police officer. “This is not about silencing anyone, but about ensuring the protest happens without disruption or violence.”
The preventive action by the police has raised fresh concerns among farmer groups about the government’s approach to handling dissent, especially in the wake of renewed mobilization by unions across the state.
