Punjab Bandh: Blockades on highways irk commuters

The Punjab Bandh call given by farmers’ Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha over the Centre not acting on the farmers’ demand for a legal guarantee for the MSP evoked criticism from commuters against the growers. The motorists alleged that farmers harass the common man to make their voice heard but the practice was illegal.

However, emergency vehicles, people going to airport or attend cremation were allowed to pass.

Commuters stuck on highways blamed the police for failing to stop farmers from blocking the roads, which caused inconvenience to the public. They also alleged that the police acted as a mute spectator as no effort was made to pursue the protesters to stop the agitation.

The commuters also exchanged heated arguments with farmers on a national highway in Khanna where they had erected a blockade.

“Why the public is being harassed by you, if you want to make your voice heard then go and challenge the politicians or authorities directly, don’t harass the people,” a turbaned man told farmers at a blockade in Khanna.

“I had to reach Ludhiana to buy a medicine but due to the farmers’ protest I am forced to wait on the road till 4 pm. Being a common man why I am being forced to suffer,” he alleged.

“We are with the farmers and their demands are genuine but they should not harass commuters or the common man. If they protest in such a way, the public will not support them. Sit outside politicians’ residences or offices of the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister in protest to force them to fulfil their demands,” the commuters said.

Meanwhile, the farmers told the commuters that it was a peaceful protest and they urged the latter to stand with them and make the bandh call successful.

Sourav Shukla, a resident of Lakhimpur UP, said he had to reach Himachal Pradesh to buy medicine for his mother but due to the protest on a highway near the Ladhowal toll barrier he got stuck in the traffic.

Sources said a car-borne person rammed into a farmer at a blockade on the highway in Ladhowal, following which the former apologised to the victim.

Shopkeepers, farmers exchange arguments

As the city’s prominent ‘Chaura Bazaar’ was not closed by shopkeepers, a group of farmers reached to ask them to close their shops. After which, the traders exchanged heated arguments with the farmers.

“Who will pay salaries of staff and repay loans taken from banks if we close ours shops due to the farmers protest,” said a shopkeeper while holding arguments with the farmers. Later, the protesters had to return empty handed as shops which were closed were also opened by other shopkeepers. Notably, most of the markets in the city were open.