India, March 4 -- Hours after their talks with Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann broke down in Chandigarh, Samyukta Kisan Morcha leaders said on Tuesday morning that police had raided the houses of several farmer leaders across the state and had detained them ahead of their call for a protest in Chandigarh on March 5.

Apprehending police action, several farmer leaders have gone underground. The SKM has called for a week-long sit-in in Chandigarh from March 5 in support of their demands.

Sangrur-based Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) president Joginder Singh Ugrahan condemned the police action, terming it "a murder of democracy".

"They are trying to suppress our rights. About 10 cars reached my house for an investigation in the wee h...