Patiala/Karnal, July 22 -- Thousands of farmers from Punjab who set off for the National Capital on Tuesday to protest the proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) called off their march after police prevented them from entering Delhi and following an assurance of talks with the central government, people familiar with the development said.

This occurred after a several-hour standoff at the heavily fortified Shambhu border. Organised under the aegis of the Desh Bachao Morcha, the march aimed to reach Delhi's Kisan Ghat to protest the proposed India-US trade deal, which farmers claim would hurt Indian agriculture by opening the domestic market to cheaper imports.

The farmers spent Monday night at the sarai (inn) of Gurdwara Sri ...