Farmers’ stir brings life to a standstill in Phagwara

Normal life remained paralysed in most towns like Phagwara, Goraya, Banga, Phillaur, Nawanshahr and Nakodar which witnessed a deserted look due to the nine-hour call for “Punjab Bandh” given by farmer organisations, from 7 am to 4 pm today.

Bus and rail services remained completely suspended during the day. No train, bus, taxi or car could ply during the bandh hours.

The Northern Railway cancelled 106 Mail, express and superfast trains in Punjab. Hundreds of rail passengers remained stranded in waiting hall of the railway station at Phagwara.

Railway officials told The Tribune here today that almost all trains could ply to and from Ambala till 4 pm.

They said that normal rail traffic could ply only inside Haryana, Himachal or Jammu and Kashmir.

Vegetable markets, grain markets besides shops and commercial establishments remained completely shut. Most of the banks remained closed today and people felt much inconvenienced in this marriage season as many were not able to operate even their bank lockers.

Members of the Revenue Patwar Union Punjab, PRTC Employees Union and even Punjab Roadways did not work today to express solidarity with the farmers. President of the Phagwara Bar Association Karanjot Singh Jhikka and former presidents Lalit Chopra, Vijay Sharma and Munish Sareen strongly condemned the state government for not resolving the problems of farmers.

Phagwara Superintendent of Police Rupinder Kaur Bhatti herself monitored the situation and heavy police force was deployed at various places.

Hundreds of activists of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Doaba) led by its general secretary Satnam Singh Sahni blocked vehicular traffic near Sugar Mill chowk. The local traffic police headed by Inspector Aman Kumar diverted road traffic from Mehtan bypass via alternative routes through link roads.

Reports of blockade were also received from Phillaur, Ladhuwal toll plaza, Behram toll plaza, Kathgarh toll plaza etc.