Punjab bandh today, normal life in Haryana may be hit too

The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) (non-political) have called for a statewide bandh in Punjab on Monday, from 7 am to 4 pm, in support of Jagjit Singh Dallewal. Dallewal has been on a hunger strike for over a month, demanding the implementation of 13 key farm-related demands, including legal guarantees for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops. The bandh is expected to disrupt normal services across sectors.

Public and private transport, including buses and trucks, will remain off the roads, with over 200 chakka jams planned by farmer unions on highways and link roads. Rail services will also be affected, with tracks blocked at 50 locations.

Milk distribution is expected to be impacted as vendors have opted to stay off the roads during the bandh period due to logistical challenges and harsh winter conditions.

Most schools are on winter vacation, while Panjab University has postponed Monday’s exams to Tuesday. A circular was issued to all affiliated colleges in this regard.

Truckers supporting the bandh have halted fresh supplies to mandis until 4 pm on Monday, leading to a disruption in fruit and vegetable availability.

Fuel stations will try to remain operational for emergency needs, according to the Punjab Petrol Pump Dealers Association. However, LPG cylinder delivery may face delays due to the transport strike.

The Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal has not issued a statewide call to close markets, though local decisions may vary. Markets in areas such as Rajpura, Sangrur, Mansa, and Moga are likely to remain shut until 4 pm.

While no official leave has been announced, attendance is expected to be low, particularly for employees commuting from other cities.

The SGPC has extended support to the bandh, announcing the closure of its offices across Punjab on Monday.

Medical services will function as usual. Wedding processions (baratis) will also be allowed unhindered, according to farmer leaders.

Gurdwaras in districts such as Muktsar, Sangrur, Bathinda, and others will provide langar at dharna sites to support protesters.

The bandh call has also been extended to other states, including Haryana, urging solidarity with the farmers’ cause.

The statewide shutdown reflects the growing support for Dallewal’s demands, highlighting the ongoing struggles of the farming community in Punjab.

As per the farmer leaders the farmer will block roads and rail lines from 7 am to 4 pm. Farmer unions have requested the government and private institutions to remain closed and only emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, wedding vehicles, or people in case of any other serious emergency, will be allowed to pass through the blockades.

Meanwhile, farmer leaders have travelled to several districts of the state to mobilise support have been instructed to make the Bandh successful.

Sarwan Singh Pandher, who is the convener of both the forums has claimed that the Bandh will be successful as the traders, transporters, employee unions, toll plaza employees, labourers, ex-servicemen, sarpanch and teachers’ associations, social and other organisations and some other sections have extended their support to the shutdown.

Hundreds of farmers protesting under the banner of SKM and KMM have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13.

The Delhi march of these farmers was stopped by the Haryana police curtailing their attempts to hold protests in 2020-21 like protests in Delhi for the pending demands including guaranteed MSP and a loan waiver.

The farmers had earlier given a call for Punjab bandh after a “jatha” (group) of 101 farmers had attempted thrice to enter Delhi on foot on December 6, December 8 and December 14 but the security personnel in Haryana did not allow them to proceed.