Near total bandh in Kapurthala district

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 16

In a widespread response to the Bharat Bandh call of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) against the Central Government, Kapurthala district observed a near total bandh today.

Other than medical stores, markets and shops in Kapurthala remained largely closed today. Shopkeepers and traders extended support to the farmers’ struggle by keeping establishments closed. Farmers also took note of the few open shops and got them closed.

Farmers got a photographer’s shop on the bus stop road closed. A heated argument ensued between farmers and the shopkeeper before he downed shutters of his shop. Farmers also staged a dharna in front of the shop.

Farmer leaders staged a protest under the leadership of Balwinder Singh Bhullar, district president, Kirti Kisan Union, at the DC Chowk in Kapurthala. During the protest, the Centre’s policies were criticised by farmers.

Harpreet Singh, DSP, Sub-Division, along with a few police personnel were present during the dharna at DC Chowk.

Meanwhile, on a call given by farmers’ organisations, a complete bandh was observed in Phagwara, Goraya, Phillaur, Nakodar, Shahkot, and Nurmahal today. Almost all shops and commercial establishments remained closed on Friday. However, government offices, banks, chemists’ shops and petrol pumps remained open.

Farmers staged a dharna at Zandiala Manzaki after blocking the Phagwara-Nakodar road at 11am.

At least 150 workers of the PRTC Workers Sanjhi Action Committee (Contract basis) at Kapurthala depot along with regular employees held a strike after stopping government and private buses. Seventy workers of the RCF Employees Union held a peaceful protest. More than 50 workers of Lok Hiteshi Manch Phagwara held a protest march that passed through Goal Chowk, Jhatkaiya Chowk, Gaushala Bazaar, Naiaan Wala Chowk and bus stand.

Traffic was blocked near Dhilwan on the Jalandhar-Amritsar national highway by Kirti Kisan Union members today. Activists of BKU (Lakhowal) blocked traffic and staged dharna on the Kartarpur-Bholath road today. Members of the LIC Employees Union held demonstration at their office in Kapurthala.

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