Farmers in Punjab have launched an extensive state-wide bandh on Monday, halting road and rail movement in a dramatic show of strength to push for their demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. The protest, which runs from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., was organized by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, with disruptions affecting daily life and logistics across the state.
Key points from the Punjab Bandh:
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Major Routes Blocked: Protesters have paralyzed traffic at crucial points such as Airport Road at IISER Chowk in Mohali, Kurali Road Toll Plaza, Ambala-Delhi Highway Toll Plaza near Lalru, and the Kharar-Morinda Highway. Highways and marketplaces across Punjab remain inaccessible.
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Widespread Disruptions: Over 200 locations in the state have witnessed roadblocks. In Amritsar, protesters gathered near the Golden Gate entry point, while in Bathinda's Rampura Phul, key roads were shut down.
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Railway Services Affected: The "Rail Roko Andolan" led to significant disruptions in train services, with 163 cancellations. Additionally, 19 trains were short-terminated, 15 short-originated, 15 delayed, and nine stopped mid-route.
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Exemptions: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher stated that emergency services, including medical travel, flights, and journeys for weddings or job interviews, are excluded from the bandh.
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Police Deployment: Approximately 600 police personnel have been stationed across the Mohali district to maintain order, with senior officers closely monitoring the situation.
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Hunger Strike Intensifies: Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a 70-year-old farmer leader, is on the 35th day of a hunger strike, refusing medical attention. Dallewal has vowed to continue until the government meets the farmers' demands.
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Supreme Court Intervention: The Supreme Court has urged the Punjab government to convince Dallewal to end his fast and receive medical care. It also suggested seeking the Centre’s support if necessary.
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Farmer Demands: Beyond the MSP guarantee, the farmers are calling for debt waivers, pensions, no increase in electricity tariffs, withdrawal of police cases, and justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
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Prolonged Agitation: Farmers have been camping at the Punjab-Haryana border since February 13 after being stopped during their march to Delhi. Previous attempts to march to the capital earlier this month were also blocked by Haryana’s security forces.
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Impact on Commerce: Businesses, marketplaces, and freight movements have been brought to a standstill, reflecting the far-reaching impact of the farmers' demands on both local and national scales.
The protests signify a resurgence in farmer activism, reminiscent of the 2020-21 agitation against the now-repealed farm laws. With growing tension and no resolution in sight, the situation remains critical as the farmers continue to demand justice and policy reforms.
