Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Protesters gather at Golden Gate in Amritsar, SKM calls for week-long sit-in starting today

Punjab Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Farmers stopped at Chandigarh-Mohali border, taken to police station

Farmers from Ropar attempting to enter Chandigarh were halted at the barrier near the Furniture Market on the Chandigarh-Mohali border, where Mohali Police intervened. Authorities informed them that entry into the city was restricted. The farmers were subsequently escorted to the Mataur Police Station in Sector 71, SAS Nagar, Mohali, where they were seated and provided with langar. Their trolleys have been parked in the market’s designated parking area. The farmers stated that they are awaiting further instructions from their leaders and will decide their next course of action accordingly.

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Scuffle between farmers and police near DC office complex at Moga

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) chief Joginder Singh Ugrahan was taken into custody by Sangrur Police while he was on his way to Village Gharachon to address the protesting farmers.

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Chandigarh-Zirakpur Highway witnesses heavy traffic jam as Punjab Police heightens security in view of farmer's protest.

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar says tight security ensured, farmers stopped outside Chandigarh

Ropar Range DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar stated that the situation in Punjab remains "totally peaceful" amid the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) march towards Chandigarh. "Wherever the farmers have come, Police in that area have stopped them there itself. They are sitting there at the side peacefully. Traffic is normal across Punjab," he said.

He further emphasized that "they will not be allowed to reach Chandigarh at any cost" as strict security measures have been implemented. "We have tight security... A few people have been rounded up... There is good coordination between Punjab and Chandigarh Police," Bhullar added.

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Farmers sit on protest at Khanauri border

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Security heightened at Chandigarh-Zirakpur Highway

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Farmers gather at Golden Gate in Amritsar to protest against the state government.

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Security heightened at Chandigarh-Mohali border ahead of farmers protest.

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Police deployed, barricading in place at borders, says SP Geetanjali Khandelwal

As the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) in Punjab marches towards Chandigarh, authorities have intensified security measures across the city's entry points. Chandigarh SP Geetanjali Khandelwal stated, "We have deployed Police personnel at all borders of Chandigarh, barricading has been done. Strict checking is being done at all such locations. We are all making efforts for route diversion and people face minimum inconvenience. But we have diverted traffic routes wherever we suspect that a traffic snarl might occur due to our checking..."

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Farmers gather at Golden Gate in Amritsar

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Security tightened as farmers protest at Golden Gate

As the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) in Punjab marches towards Chandigarh and stages protests, DSP Maninder Singh Pal assured that security measures have been reinforced. He stated, "All arrangements are in place. Force has been deployed. We are alert...Farmers are here. Protest will be done here (at Golden Gate)."

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader slams govt's actions

As the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) in Punjab continues its march towards Chandigarh, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Gurbachan Singh Chhaba strongly criticized the state government’s handling of the situation. He stated, "Bhagwant Mann Government in Punjab left the meeting with farmers. We have seen such a CM for the first time, someone who leaves a meeting with farmers midway...someone who gets the houses of farmer leaders raided, detained them at their houses and detained some others at Police Stations and got them arrested...Bhagwant Mann Govt is playing into the hands of Centre to violate the human rights of farmers. People will never accept this."

He further added that protestors will "burn the effigy of Bhagwant Mann. We will demand that farmers be allowed to protest and their demand be met. Our demands are not unlawful...We condemn this govt. Our protest is always peaceful...Bhagwant Mann is instigating people...This is bad."

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher slams arrests, calls for statewide protests

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Reports indicate that authorities have sealed or barricaded 18 entry points to Chandigarh to prevent farmers from reaching the city.

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Traffic snarls at Mohali-Chandigarh border amid heavy barricading

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Slow traffic movement at Zirakpur-Chandigarh border as Chandigarh Police implements traffic diversions for vehicles entering the city in the light of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) in Punjab's march towards Chandigarh today.

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Farmers protest after being stopped from entering Chandigarh

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: Police deployed to prevent Chandigarh protest today

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: SKM criticizes CM Bhagwant Mann for abruptly ending talks

SKM stated that "instead of being patient to listen and support the farmers on their long pending demands towards the Union Government including MSP@C2+50% with legally guaranteed procurement, comprehensive loan waiver in the context of 31 farmers forced to commit suicide daily across the country among others," the Chief Minister only insisted on postponing the planned week-long protest scheduled for March 5, 2025, in Chandigarh. Despite farmer leaders explaining the significance of the prolonged mass movement against the Union Government, "the Chief Minister - without any reason - got provoked and just stopped the discussion and quit the meeting," the release said.

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: CM participates in discussion with SKM delegation

According to SKM, chief minister Bhagwant Mann was present during discussions held yesterday in Chandigarh with a 40-member delegation of the farmers’ union. During the meeting, farmer leaders extended their congratulations to the Chief Minister for the resolution passed in the state Assembly, which called for the repeal of the National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing.

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: SKM stands firm, says use of force won't deter farmers

Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) stated in a release that the use of force will not deter farmers across India from "their protracted, unwavering struggle to achieve the long-pending demands, "including repealing NPFAM, MSP@C2+50 with legally guaranteed procurement and comprehensive loan waiver." SKM reaffirmed that farmers remain committed to their cause despite attempts to suppress their movement.

Punjab Farmers Protest Live Updates: SKM slams state government over midnight raids

SKM accused the state government of resorting to coercive measures instead of facilitating discussions to address farmers' concerns. It stated that rather than pressuring the Union Government to resolve "the genuine struggle of farmers by convening discussions with all the farmer organisations that are on the struggle path," the state administration had taken the "disgraceful path of unleashing Police at midnight in the houses to suppress and threaten the farmer's leaders."

Farmers Protest Live Updates: Punjab police crackdown on farmer leaders

In a pre-dawn operation on Tuesday, Punjab Police conducted statewide raids on the residences of key farmer leaders, detaining several individuals ahead of the planned protest by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) in Chandigarh on March 5. The crackdown followed unsuccessful negotiations between the Punjab government and SKM on Monday evening. Farmer representatives accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of abruptly leaving the meeting, while the CM later asserted that his government remains open to dialogue but emphasized the need to prevent public inconvenience due to protests.

Farmers Protest Live Updates: Raids and detentions across Punjab

The police action, which commenced past midnight and extended into the early morning hours, targeted prominent leaders of multiple farmer organizations. Those affected included BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan, vice-president Jhanda Singh Jethuke, BKU (Rajewal) president Balbir Singh Rajewal, BKU (Lakhowal) leader Harinder Singh Lakhowal, Kirti Kisan Union leader Rajinder Singh Deep Singh Wala, and Krantikari Kisan Union representatives.

Many, including Rajewal and Jangvir Singh Chohan, were taken into custody. Additionally, Punjab Kisan Union president Ruldu Singh Mansa and Balkaran Singh Balli were detained from Kisan Bhawan in Chandigarh. Some farmer leaders managed to evade arrest by staying away from their homes.

Farmers Protest Live Updates: Resistance and clashes during raids

In various parts of the state, farmers resisted police action. At Fatehgarh Chhanna village in Barnala, protesters blocked the police from detaining BKU (Ugrahan) leader Balour Singh Chhana by obstructing their vehicle. In Moga, members of the Krantikari Kisan Union successfully secured the release of Jagtar Mallah from the Bagha Purana police station. BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) reported the detention of its Bathinda district leader, Paramjit Kaur Kotda, along with Darshan Singh Misaerkhana, despite the latter's health concerns.

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Live Updates: Persistent water flow hampers rescue operations

A team from the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) arrived at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel site on Tuesday to investigate the causes of the roof collapse and assess the geological conditions in the area. The team is set to conduct a series of tests to determine the factors behind the incident, which occurred on February 22.

Despite extensive operations carried out by 12 agencies over the past 11 days, the exact cause of the collapse remains undetermined. One of the most challenging aspects of the situation is the persistent flow of water from the damaged section of the tunnel, further complicating rescue efforts. Officials reported that water continues to seep from the collapsed roof at a rate of 3,600 to 5,000 liters per minute, posing a major obstacle to ongoing recovery and relief operations.

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Live Updates: NCS team joins investigation, rescue efforts intensify

The state government had formally requested the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), which operates under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, to assist in investigating the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse. In response, an expert team was dispatched last week, equipped with specialized instruments to analyze the incident and provide technical insights.

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Live Updates: Key equipment restored to expedite rescue

Rescue operations saw a significant boost on Tuesday afternoon as teams successfully repaired and restored the damaged conveyor belt, which plays a crucial role in removing silt and debris from the tunnel. Until now, workers had been manually lifting silt and transporting it via locomotives, slowing down the process.

With the conveyor belt back in operation, an additional excavator was deployed on Tuesday night to accelerate the removal of silt and metal debris. Despite these efforts, the search for the eight missing workers remains unsuccessful. Rescue teams continue to face challenges due to persistent water seepage and unstable conditions within the collapsed section of the tunnel.

Himachal Pradesh Weather Live Updates: Fresh snowfall disrupts connectivity in high-altitude regions

High-altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh experienced fresh snowfall on Tuesday, further exacerbating travel disruptions in Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi, and other remote regions. These areas have remained cut off from the rest of the state for the seventh consecutive day due to heavy snowfall and blocked roads.

Himachal Pradesh Weather Live Updates: Over 150 roads still blocked amid snow clearance efforts

According to the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), 158 roads remain blocked across Lahaul-Spiti. This includes 74 roads in the Lahaul sub-division, 60 in Udaipur, and 24 in Spiti, despite ongoing snow-clearing operations. Major routes in the district remained inaccessible on Tuesday, with only the Sissu-to-Atal Tunnel stretch open for 4x4 vehicles.

In Chamba district, 76 roads are still closed, with the majority of disruptions concentrated in the Pangi sub-division. Authorities continue to work on restoring connectivity as adverse weather conditions persist.