Shops remain closed in Mohali; no effect of Bharat Bandh in Panchkula

Panchkula/Mohali, February 15

Majority of the shops remained closed and roads blocked for four-five hours in Kharar and Kurali. The public transport system was erratic and remained affected with passengers stranded at bus stands.

The toll plazas were freed for vehicle users.

Zirakpur, Dera Bassi, Lalru and Mohali areas saw the farmers union members registering a protest but connectivity and business remained unaffected. SKM Zirakpur Hardeep Singh Kamboj said, “The demonstration was peaceful and we made sure that commuters were not inconvenienced. Ambulances were given passage promptly.”

A demonstration was organised near the Sohana gurdwara.

While farmers’ call for a Bharat Bandh had little to no effect in Panchkula, farmers associated with the Bhartiya Kisan Union Charuni group gathered and rendered free of charge the toll plaza at Chandimandir on Pinjore road.

Work in Panchkula continued as usual on Friday. The city markets continued functioning as normal throughout the day without any sign of protest.

Meanwhile, over 150 farmers parked their tractors and blocked the toll plaza on the Pinjore road. Vehicles were allowed to exit the toll plaza through one lane on each side only.

Farmers said they had gathered at the site and organised a peaceful protest. They raised slogans against the central government demanding resolution of their long-pending demands.

Narinder Singh, Panchkula district president of BKU Charuni said they had reached the site at 12 pm and rendered he plaza free of charges. “This peaceful protest will continue till 3 pm as has been decided by farm union leaders already.”

Ambala district president of BKU Charuni Malkit Singh said villagers from Panchkula, Pinjore and Kalka as well as villages of Ambala had organised the peaceful protest at the site.