‘Punjab Bandh’ Live: Chandigarh Unaffected by Bandh; Rural Areas Face Major Disruptions

Chandigarh, December 30, 2024

‘Punjab Bandh’ Live: Life across Punjab came to a grinding halt today as farmers observed a statewide bandh to demand a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and other reforms. While urban centers like Chandigarh saw limited impact, rural areas bore the brunt of the shutdown, with roads blocked, public transport disrupted, and markets deserted.

‘Punjab Bandh’ Live: Massive Disruptions in Punjab

The bandh, called by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, affected rail and road traffic. Demonstrators sat on dharna at important places, such as toll plazas and highways, which severely inconvenienced commuters. –

• In Phagwara: Roads to Nakodar, Hoshiarpur, and Nawanshahr were blocked near the Sugarmill crossing on NH-44.
• In Mohali and Amritsar: The markets were deserted, and roads were largely empty, but reports of roadblocks had emerged at several places, including the Golden Gate area where a langar had been set up in support of the protesters.
• In Patiala: Vehicular movement on the Patiala-Chandigarh National Highway was adversely affected as farmers sat on dharna at Dhareri Jattan Toll Plaza.

Grain markets throughout the state were closed, and the effect of bandh spread across neighboring regions, such as in the case of Ambala, where daily travelers were put off track.

Services Suspended, Essential Services Excluded

Public and private bus services were closed, and PRTC stopped its operations between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Private operators closed their services from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Emergency services such as medical emergencies, weddings, and funerals were exempted, ensuring minimal inconvenience to critical situations.

Farmer leaders stressed that there was an urgent need for a legal guarantee of MSP. Sarwan Singh Pandher, the chief of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, highlighted the larger implications of their demands. “This is not just about farmers; it is about protecting the livelihoods of shopkeepers, laborers, and others impacted by privatization and online businesses,” said Pandher.

Other demands included:

• 200 working days by the people under NREGA and ₹700 in hand everyday .
• Face of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution .
• Loan waivers for farmers.

Only leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death from November 26 along the Khanauri border where all are underlining the firmness of the farmers’ intention.
Government Badal Criticised, Emphasis on unity Pandher criticized the Punjab government for allegedly misusing police forces and urged it to stand with the farmers. Referencing incidents like the Behbal Kalan firing, he said, “The government must stop its oppressive tactics and support the rightful demands of farmers.”

He further called for nationwide unity among farmers and laborers, stating that collective pressure was essential to compel the central government to act.

Support for the Movement

The bandh was supported by a large section of the population, comprising traders, transporters, employee unions, ex-servicemen, sarpanches, and teachers’ unions. Social organizations also extended their support to this cause and raised the intensity of the protest.

The bandh in Punjab has brought out the resolve of the farmers for their demands. Though the day was quite inconvenient for many, the protest clearly brings to the forefront of the agenda the urgency of dialogue and resolution. The eyes are on the state and central governments’ responses as the day progresses.
—IANS

Punjab and Haryana Borders Remain Tense

The protests of farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have intensified, forcing a complete shutdown across Punjab today. Since February 13, farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points after their march to Delhi was halted by security forces. A “jatha” of 101 farmers had made three determined attempts to enter Delhi on foot earlier this month but was stopped by Haryana’s security personnel.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced that the Punjab Bandh call received all kinds of sections in the society such as traders, transporters and employees.

The main demands by the protesting farmers include:

• Legal MSP for crops.
• Debt waiver in totality of farmers and laborers on farms.
• Pension for farmers and laborers.

The reinstatement of the Act of 2013 which is popularly known as the Land Acquisition Act.
Withdrawal of police cases and “justice” for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
Compensation for families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 protests.

Freezing of electricity tariff hike.

Sarwan Singh Pandher criticized the Union government for ignoring the farmers’ plight and expressed confidence that today’s bandh would pressure the Centre into meeting their demands.

Transport and Services Affected

Public and private transport services in Punjab have been shut down to support the bandh. The Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC) bus services have been shut down from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while the private operators have shut it from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rail movement has also been affected as protesters have enforced a “chakka jam” on roads and rail lines across the state.

Emergency vehicles, such as ambulances and wedding processions, are being given passage to ensure that the bandh does not disrupt emergency needs.

Government and private institutions have been called upon to stay closed today in support of the bandh. Meetings have been held throughout the state to ensure mass involvement, including at the Khanauri protest site last week, where different groups came together and pledged their involvement.

The farmers’ movement continues to show unity and determination, today’s bandh reminding everyone of their unyielding resolve. All eyes continue to be on the Union government to see whether it would respond to the demands by the farmers.

Stay for further updates.