Security forces set up heavy concrete barriers and metal barricades at the Punjab-Haryana border on Tuesday, stopping thousands of farmers from marching toward New Delhi.

The crackdown at the Shambhu crossing turned back a planned one-day demonstration organised by umbrella groups, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Police detained key organizers and placed several union leaders under house arrest to block the convoy.

Protesters are demanding the cancellation of a proposed India–U.S. trade agreement. Agricultural groups argue the pact will open domestic markets to heavily subsidized American farm goods, undercutting local prices and threatening the livelihoods of small-scale Indian growers. 

Tensions remain high across the region as major unions — including the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan), BKU Ekta Dakaunda, and BKU (Rajewal) — stage local rallies and threaten further action if the federal government presses forward with the trade talks