India, Feb. 6 -- Tensions escalated in Punjab's Malwa belt on Friday as Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) members clashed with police at Tapa in Barnala district.

The violence occurred when farmers attempted to force their way through multi-layered police barricades. The protesters were heading toward Bathinda to stage a demonstration outside the deputy commissioner's office, demanding the immediate release of two farm leaders from Bathinda jail.

The situation turned violent when the police moved in to contain the surge, resulting in the confrontation and subsequent detention of protesters at the site. While the exact number of detainees in Barnala remains unconfirmed, the crackdown extended into neighbouring Sangrur, where the autho...