Bharat bandh evokes mixed response

ibune News Service

Chandigarh, December 8

The Bharat bandh call by protesting farmers to press for repeal of the Centre’s new farm laws evoked a mixed response in Haryana on Tuesday even as it passed off peacefully.

Most of the rural pockets extended support by closing shops and vegetable and grain markets while the call received a lukewarm response in urban pockets.

The agitating farmers blocked several key roads, including the Bhiwani-Delhi, Hisar-Chandigarh and Yamunanagar-Chandigarh highways. Inter-state and intra-state bus services remained disrupted.

The Sarv Karamchari Sangh held a gate meeting of employees of various government departments, boards and corporations.

Opposition parties — the Congress and Indian National Lok Dal — had already decided to extend support to the Bharat bandh.

Ambala: The Bharat bandh call evoked a mixed response. National highways were blocked by the protesting farmers by parking their tractor-trolleys and vehicles on the highways.

Emergency vehicles and those belonging to farmers marching to the Delhi border were allowed to proceed. The protesters also laid siege to internal roads.

The Haryana Petroleum Dealers’ Welfare Association’s support to the bandh call did not evoke any response as most fuel stations remained open throughout the day.

Kurukshetra: Farmers blocked NH-152 in Pehowa. Several roads were blocked in Shahabad and Thanesar. Farmers burnt effigies of PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and CM Manohar Lal Khattar.

Yamunanagar: Many shops remained closed in the district even as several others remained open. Farmers blocked the Yamunanagar-Panchkula highway.

Karnal: The call evoked a good response, with no report of violence. Several social and political organisations extended support.

Most of the markets remained closed between 11 am and 3 pm. Farmers took out a procession on tractors.

Except NH-44, most of the roads leading the district headquarters remained closed as farmers staged dharna on roads at 16 places.

Hisar: Most markets remained open even as farmers resorted to blockades on the Hisar-Chandigarh highway and approach roads in the district.

The District Bar Association, Haryana Vyapar Mandal and HUDA sector resident welfare associations extended support to the bandh. The bandh evoked a good response in Sirsa, Fatehabad and Jind districts.

In an attempt to ensure success, protesting farmers collecyed Rs 3,000 as donation for a shopkeeper at Agroha who refused to down shutters.

Faridabad: The bandh call evoked a poor response as all shops, private and government offices, commercial establishments, markets and industrial units remained operational.

Gurugram: The bandh call got a lukewarm response, with markets remaining open. There was heavy police deployment at sensitive points and junctions.

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