Kurukshetra Farmers Clash With Police Over Paddy Procurement; Tear Gas, Water Cannons Used

September 22, 2026

Kurukshetra: Tension prevailed in Kurukshetra, Haryana, on Tuesday after farmers protesting over the delayed start of government paddy procurement attempted to block the GT Road. Police used water cannons and tear gas after protesting farmers broke through barricades and moved towards the highway.

The protest was organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni), which had warned of blocking the Delhi-Chandigarh highway at Shahabad if government procurement did not begin by September 20. The ultimatum followed a September 16 meeting at the Shahabad grain market, where farmers raised concerns over paddy arriving at mandis and sought an early start to procurement.

Farmers Break Barricades, Police Use Tear Gas And Water Cannons

The confrontation began after farmers moved towards the GT Road following a meeting with Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena that failed to resolve the issue.

When some protesters broke through barricades on Barara Road, police used water cannons and fired tear gas shells to stop them from reaching the highway. Some farmers managed to get onto the flyover but were subsequently brought down by police.

DSP Randhir said traffic on the highway was moving. Senior police officials, including SP Chandramohan, also reached the spot to assess the situation.

The protesting farmers later began a sit-in near the Shaheed Udham Singh Memorial.

Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni alleged that police used a large number of tear gas shells, water cannons and lathi-charge during the confrontation. He also claimed that he suffered an injury to his leg. The allegations regarding the use of force are being attributed to Charuni.

Farmers Had Set September 20 Procurement Deadline

The dispute centres on the start of government procurement of paddy for the 2026-27 Kharif marketing season.

Farmers had raised the issue during a meeting at the Shahabad grain market on September 16. Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena was present at the meeting, where farmers sought early procurement citing the arrival of paddy in the mandis.

The Haryana government had written to the Centre seeking permission to begin paddy procurement from September 20 instead of the usual October 1 start. Farmers subsequently gave the administration an ultimatum that procurement should begin by September 20, warning that they would block roads on September 22 if their demand was not met.

BKU (Charuni) later announced plans to gather near the Shaheed Udham Singh statue and block the Delhi-Chandigarh highway in Shahabad.

Meri Fasal-Mera Byora Portal Reopened

Amid the procurement-related concerns, the Haryana government has also reopened the Meri Fasal-Mera Byora portal from September 21 to September 27 for farmers who could not complete their Kharif 2026 crop registration earlier.

According to the Haryana government’s information, farmers who missed registration can submit applications through their respective SDMs. After verification, eligible crop details will be linked with the e-Kharid system to facilitate participation in the procurement process.

The reopening is particularly relevant because crop registration is linked to the procurement process. Haryana’s e-Kharid system is designed to facilitate farmer registration, procurement, payment and movement/storage of agricultural produce.

Paddy Procurement Was Advanced Last Year Too

The demand for an early start is not new. In 2025, Haryana advanced the paddy procurement schedule to September 22 following demands from farmers, compared with the usual October 1 start.

According to Haryana government procurement data, 62.13 lakh metric tonnes of paddy were procured on MSP during the 2025 season.

The latest confrontation comes as paddy arrivals increase in Haryana mandis and farmers seek clarity on procurement, registration, lifting and payments. The state government has meanwhile directed officials to ensure that the procurement process runs smoothly and that farmers do not face difficulties.

Police presence remains in place in the protest area as authorities monitor the situation.