Punjab Bandh: Farmers Block Roads, Trains Canceled, Buses Off Roads

A shutdown call has been issued by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha in protest of the Centre’s refusal to meet the demands of farmers. Farmers began blocking roads across Punjab on Monday as part of the Punjab bandh, causing disruptions to commuter traffic in various regions. The bandh, observed from 7 am to 4 pm, affected movement at key locations like the Dhareri Jattan Toll Plaza on the Patiala-Chandigarh National Highway, where farmers staged a sit-in. In Amritsar, protesters gathered at the Golden Gate, while in Bathinda’s Rampura Phul, roads were blocked.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher clarified that while the bandh would be observed, emergency services would remain operational, including travel to the airport or urgent appointments. The protest is driven by farmers’ demand for a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. In response to the bandh, the Railways canceled 150 trains, including major services like Vande Bharat and Shatabdi.

Meanwhile, 70-year-old farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike continues into its 35th day, with Dallewal refusing medical treatment until the government’s demands are addressed. The Supreme Court has given the Punjab government time until December 31 to convince Dallewal to seek medical care.

Farmers have been protesting at border points between Punjab and Haryana since February, also demanding debt relief, pension, no electricity tariff hikes, withdrawal of police cases, and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.