Normal life was hit across Punjab on Monday due to a nine-hour ‘bandh’ called by farmers protesting against the Centre for their various demands including a legal guarantee of MSP for their crops.
Rail operations in Punjab were mostly suspended, buses and other vehicles remained off the road, leaving passengers stranded; and shops and establishments downed shutters as the ‘7 am to 4 pm’ bandh passed off peacefully. Petrol pumps were also shut, a senior farmer leader said.
Farmer leaders who gave the bandh call more than a week ago declared it “successful” and thanked the “three crore Punjabis for extending their full support”.
Amid a harsh winter chill and dense fog at some places, farmers staged ‘dharnas’ on several roads and highways including in Patiala, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Bathinda, and Pathankot, crippling the traffic.
The sit-in at the Dhareri Jattan toll plaza affected vehicular movement on the Patiala-Chandigarh national highway. At Amritsar’s Golden Gate, scores of farmers staged a ‘dharna’ near the city’s entry point. Police there assisted some stranded foreign tourists by arranging auto rickshaws for them to reach Golden Temple.
At some places, commuters were seen arguing with the protesting farmers blocking the roads.
The call for the statewide shutdown was given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha over the Centre not acting on the farmers’ demand for a legal guarantee of MSP.
The bandh was also in support of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal (70) who has been on a fast-unto-death at Khanauri border protest site over the non-fulfilment of the demands. His health has deteriorated during the fast which has completed 35 days.
After the bandh, Dallewal thanked the people of Punjab for supporting and making the bandh a “success”.
In a video message, he said the Centre should pay attention to their demands.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told reporters in Amritsar that emergency and other essential services were allowed to operate. He said those going to airport or for a job interview or a wedding were allowed to go.
“Punjabiyat has won. On behalf of both the forums (spearheading protests at Shambhu and Khanauri), I want to thank three crore Punjabis for extending their full support to the bandh,” Pandher said after the bandh hours.
He also said vegetable mandis, grain markets and petrol pumps also remained shut. “All establishments remained closed. The bandh has been successful and Punjabis have shown great support for Dallewal sahab,” he said. — PTI
149th Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan artistes stranded at Jalandhar railway station
December 30, 2024 4:36 pm
Artistes who performed at 149th Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan in Jalandhar were stranded at the Jalandhar Cantonment railway station due to the Punjab bandh call. The group was scheduled to return home today, but their train was delayed. "It's becoming difficult for us to stand here, and we haven't received any information about when our train will arrive," told one of the artistes to The Tribune.
Complete shutdown in Jalandhar
December 30, 2024 1:59 pm
Impact of Punjab Bandh was completely observed in Jalandhar. Main markets of the city remained closed, and no buses were plying on roads and trains too were cancelled. Passengers at bus stand and railway station were seen waiting for the bandh to end so that they could reach their destinations. Ajit Kumar from Kerela who was with his one year old son at the Cantt Railway station said he was going to Pathankot and the train stopped at the station. At Dhanowali village, the farmer unions gathered and blocked the NH-1. Ambulances were, however, being allowed to move.
Farmers block roads at many places, traffic hit
December 30, 2024 11:53 am
Farmers observed a sit-in at Dhareri Jattan Toll Plaza which affected vehicular movement on the Patiala-Chandigarh National Highway. In Phagwara, farmers staged a dharna near the Sugarmill crossing on NH-44, blocking the roads leading from Phagwara towards Nakodar, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr. They also staged a dharna at Behram toll plaza on Phagwara-Banga road. Grain markets were shut in several places. In the Mohali district, markets were deserted and hardly any traffic on the roads. The bandh's impact was also seen in some neighbouring areas of the state, including Ambala. Hundreds of daily commuters travelling from Ambala to Chandigarh, Mohali, Patiala and other nearby cities of Punjab were thrown off stride because of the shutdown. Buses took alternate routes to go from Ambala to Chandigarh as they had to cross a stretch of the national highway that passes through Punjab. Many outsiders studying in various coaching centres in Chandigarh faced a tough time reaching their destinations.
Punjab govt should not misuse police, stand with us: Farmer leader
December 30, 2024 9:38 am
Samyukt Kisan Morcha chief Sarwan Singh Pandher on Monday urged the Punjab government not to "misuse" its power against the farmers and instead support them in their fight pushing their demands. Speaking with IANS, Sarwan Singh Pandher emphasised the strong support for the bandh, stating, "Three crore Punjabis have joined this protest, and around 95-97 per cent of the traffic across Punjab is halted. At Golden Gate, langar was organised from 5:00 a.m. to support the cause. Reports indicate roadblocks at multiple locations in Amritsar." Highlighting their demands, Pandher said, "The MSP guarantee is essential for the country's economy and the health of its farmers. Our demands also include loan waivers, 200 days of work under NREGA, daily wages of Rs 700 for labourers, and implementation of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution." "This is not just about farmers; it's about shopkeepers facing losses due to online businesses, privatisation of education and healthcare, and other issues," he added. Pandher criticised the Punjab government, urging it to support the farmers instead of misusing police forces, referencing past incidents like the Behbal Kalan firing. "The Punjab government should not misuse the police. Punjab government should stand with the farmers," he said. "Unless farmers and labourers nationwide unite, the government will not fulfil our demands. Punjabis are united today, putting immense pressure on the Modi government," he added. Prominent farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, 67, has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border since November 26 to push for the fulfilment of these demands. The bandh has caused significant disruptions to transportation and public services. The bus services across Punjab have been suspended. The Punjab Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) halted operations between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with private bus operators suspending services statewide from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in support of the bandh. Government and private institutions across the state remained closed during the bandh hours while emergency services continued to operate. Several groups, including traders, transporters, employee unions, toll plaza workers, ex-servicemen, sarpanches, teachers' unions, and social organisations, extended their support to the farmers' cause. Protest organisers clarified that emergency situations, such as medical emergencies, weddings, or funerals, would not be hindered. Provisions were also made for individuals travelling to airports for jobs or services. --IANS
Farmers camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points
December 30, 2024 8:32 am
Farmers under the banner of SKM (Non-Political) and KMM have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after security forces stopped their march to Delhi. A "jatha" (group) of 101 farmers made three attempts to enter Delhi on foot on December 6, December 8, and again on December 14. Security personnel in Haryana prevented them from proceeding. Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said the call for a 'Punjab bandh' on December 30 is getting good support from various sections. The decision to give a call for a 'Punjab bandh' was taken last week by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. To ensure the success of the bandh, SKM (Non-political) and KMM convened a meeting of transporters, employees, traders and others at the Khanauri protest site last Thursday.
Farmers demand a debt waiver
December 30, 2024 8:29 am
Besides a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in the electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands. This bandh, the farmer leader said, will force the Centre to accept the demands of farmers. He slammed the Union government for failing to accept the demands of farmers.
PRTC bus services will be shut from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
December 30, 2024 8:29 am
Rail movement and road traffic will remain closed on Monday. In support of the farmers' Bandh call, bus services in Punjab will remain suspended. While the PRTC bus services will be shut for four hours, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the private bus operators have announced their full support, thus declaring the suspension of services across the state from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday.
Emergency vehicles allowed to pass
December 30, 2024 8:26 am
Only emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, marriage vehicles, or anyone in a dire emergency, will be allowed to pass
Chakka jam on roads and rail lines from 7 a.m. to 4 pm 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
December 30, 2024 8:26 am
Farmer union leaders will enforce a chakka jam on roads and rail lines from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Government and private institutions are requested to stay closed.
