Chandigarh witnessed a significant yet peaceful gathering of thousands of farmers on Wednesday, November 27, 2025, as the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and other farmer unions held a major rally at the Dussehra Ground in Sector 43. The event, which saw attendance estimates ranging from 10,000 to 25,000, concluded without any major law-and-order issues or significant traffic disruptions, a success credited to meticulous pre-planning by the Chandigarh administration and police.
Strategic Planning and Coordination
The peaceful passage of the day was not a matter of chance but the result of proactive and detailed strategizing. In the days leading up to the event, the Chandigarh Police held multiple meetings with farmer union leaders, including prominent figure Balbir Singh Rajewal. This advance engagement was crucial in building trust and ensuring cooperation.
A key decision was the strategic shift of the rally venue from the initially planned Sector 34 to the larger and more accessible Dussehra Ground in Sector 43. A senior police officer explained that the Sector 34 ground was partially occupied, and the farmers agreed to the change without hesitation. The new location, situated near the Mohali border, allowed vehicles like tractor-trailers, buses, and cars to enter and exit without clogging Chandigarh's internal road network.
Heavy Deployment and Smooth Execution
On the day of the rally, the Chandigarh Police were on high alert from the early morning hours. A massive force of over 3,000 police personnel, supplemented by contingents from the RAF and ITBP, was deployed across Sector 43 and its adjoining areas. Senior officers, including DGP Dr. Sagar Preet Hooda, IG Pushpendra Kumar, SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, and SP (Crime) Jasbir Singh, were present on the ground to personally supervise the operations.
The police had conducted a full-scale rehearsal on Tuesday, reviewing the venue, assessing turnout estimates, and meticulously planning entry and exit routes. A detailed traffic advisory was issued a day in advance, and all city entry and exit points were studied to ensure smooth movement. SSP (Traffic and Security) Sumer Partap Singh emphasized that this comprehensive approach was key to managing the large influx.
Farmers from multiple districts of Punjab, including Gurdaspur, Bathinda, Pathankot, Mohali, and Patiala, began arriving from 9 am onwards. The venue was filled to capacity by noon, with the three-hour event commencing shortly after.
Farmer Demands and Peaceful Dispersal
From the stage, SKM leaders raised a familiar set of demands directed at the central and state governments. The core issues highlighted included a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), comprehensive crop insurance, farmer relief packages, and official recognition for the families of farmers who lost their lives during past agitations.
The rally concluded around 3 pm, with the union seeking written responses from the authorities. While traffic near Attawa Chowk in Sector 42 experienced a brief slowdown as participants departed, the situation normalized quickly. Barricades were removed by evening, and normal traffic flow resumed across the city.
Expressing satisfaction with the proceedings, SKM leader Tejinder Singh acknowledged the better management by the Chandigarh Police, stating that they did not face any issues upon entering the city. A senior police officer attributed the day's success to lessons learned from past events, where traffic and public movement had been severely disrupted. The combination of better coordination with farmer unions and strategic planning ensured the large-scale mobilization did not interrupt the city's routine.
