India, March 5 -- Punjab Police stepped up security along highways and roads in Malwa's Mansa, Bathinda and Faridkot districts since early on Wednesday to prevent farm union activists from marching towards Chandigarh to hold a dharna against the state government.

Officials said that farm union leaders are being taken into preventive custody to maintain law and order.

The agitators have not been able to disrupt vehicular movement so far.

Sources said that the police were searching vehicles to identify members of Samyukt Kisan Morcha and stop them from proceeding towards the state capital.

Deputy inspector general (DIG), Bathinda range, Harjeet Singh said that barricading has been done at various locations in both Mansa and Bathinda dis...