Buses off road, shops partially shut amid pro-farmer protest

Jammu, December 8

Several social organisations, including transporters, held a peaceful protest here on Tuesday to express solidarity with farmers who gave a call for Bharat bandh against the new farm laws. It evoked a mixed response in Jammu region with most of public transport staying off road, troubling commuters. Shops and business establishments remained partially open.

The main protest rally was taken out by the J&K Transport Welfare Association (JKTWA) from Bikram Chowk to Digyana, blocking the Jammu-Pathankot highway. The JKTWA and over a dozen other social, religious and political organizations have extended support to the bandh call. The protest remained peaceful.

Leading the protest march, JKTWA chairman TS Wazir said they were on the roads in support of the agitating farmers who were demanding immediate revocation of the three farm laws introduced by the Central Government.

“If there is a need, we are ready to join the farmers in Delhi,” Wazir said. Various other social, religious and political organisations, including National Panthers Party (NPP), Kisan Vikas Front and United Sikh Organisation also staged peaceful protests at different places in the city in support of the bandh call.

The Joint Action Committee of civil society groups and social organisations also held protests at various places in different districts including Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur and Reasi.

The officials said police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength to maintain law and order across Jammu region. — PTI