Chandigarh, Dec 8 (IANS): Activists from various farmer organisations on Tuesday held widespread protests in Punjab and Haryana against the new farm laws they say will destroy livelihoods.

Heavy police force has been deployed in both the states to deal with any untoward situation. However, there was no report of any violence.

Even shopkeepers and petrol pump owners in most of the major towns in both the states shut their establishments expressing solidarity with the farmers.

According to reports, some protesters tried to stop vehicular traffic in Amritsar district.

Lakhs of government employees in Punjab decided to go on mass casual leave, while the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) kept all its institutions closed for the day.

The farmer unions announced to hold 'dharnas' at 60 places in the state, besides blocking all rail traffic.

Some highways and roads were also blocked. The traffic in and around Chandigarh was severely affected.

Protests were also reported from Hisar, Rohtak, Sonipat and other towns in the neighbouring Haryana.

The Haryana government has ordered a security clampdown across the state as a precautionary measure in view of Tuesday's protest.