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Published 09:12 IST, December 30th 2024

Punjab Bandh Amid Farmers' Protest: Roads Blocked, Several Trains Cancelled

Farmers blocked roads at many places across the state on Monday as part of their Punjab bandh call, hamstringing the commuter traffic.

Reported by: Digital Desk
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'Punjab bandh' call for Dec 30 getting good support from various sections: Pandher | Image: ANI

Chandigarh: Farmers across Punjab called for a Bharat Bandh on Monday, blocking roads and disrupting transportation across the state. The shutdown, announced by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, was observed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The bandh was organized to demand a legal guarantee of a minimum support price (MSP) for crops from the central government.

Farmers staged a sit-in at Dhareri Jattan Toll Plaza, affecting vehicular movement on the Patiala-Chandigarh National Highway. Rail and road traffic were crippled, and many commercial establishments remained shut.

At Amritsar’s Golden Gate, farmers assembled near the city’s entry point, while in Bathinda’s Rampura Phul, roads were blocked.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told reporters in Amritsar that emergency and essential services would be allowed to operate.

“The bandh will be observed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, emergency services will remain operational. Anyone traveling to the airport, attending a job interview, or going to a wedding is exempt from our bandh call,” Pandher said.

He added, “All establishments are closed. Punjabis have shown their unity today, and they are extending full support. We are seeing a successful bandh. Train services are also completely suspended, and no train is entering Punjab.”

In Phagwara, farmers staged a dharna near the Sugarmill crossing on NH-44, blocking roads leading to Nakodar, Hoshiarpur, and Nawanshahr. Protests were also held at Behram Toll Plaza on the Phagwara-Banga road. Grain markets were shut in several areas.

Pandher claimed their strike received strong support from transporters, employee unions, traders, and religious groups.

In Mohali district, markets were deserted, and there was minimal traffic on the roads. Public transport remained off the roads in many areas, and most private bus operators suspended services in response to the bandh call.

163 Trains Cancelled

Railways canceled several trains passing through Punjab. The bandh’s impact was also felt in neighboring regions, including Ambala. Hundreds of daily commuters traveling from Ambala to Chandigarh, Mohali, Patiala, and other nearby cities were affected.

Buses were forced to take alternate routes from Ambala to Chandigarh to avoid stretches of the national highway passing through Punjab.

Many students from coaching centers in Chandigarh faced difficulties reaching their destinations.

Meanwhile, 70-year-old farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike entered its 35th day on Monday. Dallewal has refused medical treatment and vowed not to break his fast until the government meets the farmers’ demands.

The Supreme Court has given the Punjab government until December 31 to persuade Dallewal to move to a hospital, allowing the state to seek logistical support from the Centre if required.

Farmers, under the banners of SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.

A “jatha” (group) of 101 farmers attempted to march to Delhi on foot three times between December 6 and 14 but were blocked by Haryana security personnel.

Apart from MSP, farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pensions, no hike in electricity tariffs, withdrawal of police cases, and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

(Inputs from PTI) 

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Updated 12:45 IST, December 30th 2024