Farmers to block traffic today

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 25

In response to the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call, farm unions in Punjab will observe a ‘complete’ shutdown from 6 am to 6 pm on Friday. Emergency medical services will, however, remain unimpeded. Talking to The Tribune, BKU Ekta-(Ugrahan) general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan said: “We will block rail and road movement. Taxis and other vehicles will also not be allowed. Truck unions have already declared their support to us.”

General secretary of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Committee Sarwan Singh Pandher said they intended to “show the government the ‘real’ potential of the farmers’ agitation”. Farmer leaders today addressed virtual meetings and sent teams to rural areas to urge the people to join the bandh. Special teams also visited mandis. Rajinder Singh Deep Singh Wala of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha claimed: “The public response will make it clear to the government that our voice is only getting louder”.

Blockades at 13 sites in karnal district

Advertisement

• National Highway-44 will not be blocked: BKU (Charuni)
• Meerut road in Nagla, Karnal-Indri road, Karnal-Jind NH-709A, Nilokheri-Dhand road, Karnal-Munak road, Karnal-Kaithal road in Nissing, four roads outside Assandh will be blocked

12-hour ‘Bharat Bandh’ from 6 am

• Emergency services to remain unimpeded
• Taxis, other vehicles won’t be allowed: Unions
• Truck unions also declare support for the farmers
• Traders to observe strike too
• Will also block rail traffic, say SKM leaders

Gurnam Singh Charuni, president of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni), Haryana, said: “The 12-hour bandh will start at 6 am.” A bandh would also be observed in the national capital. The farmers’ leaders claimed trade unions had support to the bandh.