Punjab-Himachal entry tax dispute deepens; for one day 55 Himachal entry, exit points to be blocked by various organizations
Bahadurjeet Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ Rupnagar/ May 20,2026
The protest against the Himachal Pradesh government’s entry tax has intensified in Punjab, with several farmer and social organizations announcing a large-scale blockade on June 1,2026.
Adressing a press conference at Rupnagar Press Club, Punjab Morcha, Kirti Kisan Morcha, Sher-e-Punjab Kisan Union, Bharatiya Kisan Union Behramke, and other groups said they will block 55 entry and exit points connecting Himachal Pradesh with Punjab and Haryana from 11 am to 3 pm on June 1,2026.
Protest leaders warned that if the Himachal government does not withdraw the entry tax imposed on who so ever entering Himachal Pradesh, stronger actions could be announced during the protest itself.
During a press conference, Advocate Utash Moga released a draft proposal seeking the imposition of a reciprocal tax on Himachal government vehicles and other vehicles entering Punjab. Copies of the proposal have been sent to Punjab government ministers and senior officials.
The leaders stated that while border tehsils may be exempted to avoid inconvenience to common people, higher taxes on Himachal government vehicles are being considered to increase pressure on the state government.
The protesters also criticized the Punjab government and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for not taking a clear stand on the issue.They said that people are closely watching the actions of the government’s MLAs, including raising questions, calling the NHAI, and holding meetings in the Assembly, to determine whether the government is genuinely standing up for Punjab’s interests or merely putting on a show.
Major demonstrations are planned at several key points, including Dherowal, Bharatgarh, the Kiratpur Sahib–Manali highway, the Sri Naina Devi route, and the Una–Nangal–Mehatpur highway, along with other border points linked to Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, and Haryana.
The organizations also appealed to traders, taxi operators, and residents of Himachal Pradesh to hold protests in their own areas between May 21 and May 30 to pressure the Himachal government to withdraw the entry tax.
The groups warned that if their demands are ignored, stronger measures such as a boycott of Himachal Pradesh and permanent checkpoints could follow.
Nihang Singh organizations led by Baba Achhar Singh Mahakal have also extended support to the agitation.
On this occasion, Punjab Morcha convener Gaurav Rana, Kirti Kisan Morcha state president Veer Singh Barwa, Sher-e-Punjab Union district president Daljit Singh Gill, Bharatiya Kisan Union Behramke district president Avtar Singh, Karnveer Singh, and Jan Adhikar Kalyan Samiti president Kashmir Singh Nangli, along with Harpreet Singh Bhangal, Balvir Khan, Gurbachan Singh Bains, retired DFC Harbhajan Singh and several other leaders, were present.
