Kisan Andolan | Patiala-Rajpura NH blocked, several toll plazas shut

Kisan Andolan | Tensions escalated in Patiala as a violent clash erupted between farmers and the Punjab Police, resulting in the detention of several farmer leaders.

The clash heightened the unrest in Patiala leading to blockage of  Patiala-Rajpura Highway and the Patiala-Sirhind Highway. Meanwhile, several toll plazas were also shut amid clashes. 

Notably, the farmers planned a protest outside BJP candidate from Patiala Lok Sabha constituency Preneet Kaur but police authorities had already taken preemptive measures to prevent the demonstration.

Detention of farmer leaders and their spouses sparked widespread anger among the farmer community and farmers staged protests across Patiala, bringing traffic to halt and causing widespread outrage. Farmers blocked all roads connecting Patiala to Punjab, causing traffic in the city to come to a halt and therefore residents  of Punjab encounter significant challenges when attempting to leave Patiala city.

Meanwhile, Jaswant Singh (70) from Shahbazpur village in Tarn Taran, died on Tuesday while protesting against BJP candidate Preneet Kaur at Sehra village in Rajpura on May 4. 

Jaswant Singh's sudden demise marks the 20th death among protesters since the demonstrations began at the Shambhu border on February 13.