Punjab Police Raids Farmer Leaders' Homes Ahead of Planned Chandigarh Protest

Samyukta Kisan Morcha leaders accuse the government of suppressing democratic rights as talks with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann collapse.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders claim Punjab Police conducted early morning raids and detained several farmer leaders ahead of a planned week-long protest in Chandigarh starting March 5.
The police action follows a breakdown in talks between SKM leaders and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, with leaders alleging Mann abruptly left the meeting without resolution.
SKM leaders, including Joginder Singh Ugrahan, condemned the raids as an attack on democracy and vowed to proceed with their protest despite the crackdown.
The farmers' demands include a legal guarantee for minimum support prices, resolution of debt issues, payment of sugarcane arrears, and opposition to the forcible acquisition of land for infrastructure projects.
Chief Minister Mann stated his government is open to dialogue but urged farmers to avoid actions such as road and railway blockades, citing public inconvenience and economic impact.