India, Feb. 24 -- Ahead of the planned protest by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) in Samana in Patiala district, Punjab Police on Tuesday moved to pre-empt the stir by taking 90 farmer leaders and activists into preventive custody across Sangrur district.

Among those detained are senior members of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Sidhupur and activist Bhana Sidhu.

Sangrur senior superintendent of police Sartaj Singh Chahal confirmed the detentions, while superintendent of police (SP) Devinder Attri added that checkpoints have been set up, specifically in Bhawanigarh and Sullar Gharat, to intercept farmers heading toward the protest site.

In the Bhawanigarh sub division alone, DSP Rahul Kaushal confirmed 20 detentions.

Speaking...