Farmers Declare 'Punjab Bandh' Today, Emergency Services Remain Functional

Chandigarh, Dec 30 (NationPress) Farmers have called for a 'Punjab Bandh' on Monday, which is likely to result in the closure of all shops statewide and cause disruptions in both road and rail transport. However, emergency services will remain operational.

There will be no supply of milk, fruits, and vegetables until the protest concludes on Monday evening, as multiple trade organizations have expressed their support for the bandh.

According to reports, farmer union leaders will implement a chakka jam on roads and railways from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both government and private institutions are urged to remain closed. Only emergency vehicles, such as ambulances and vehicles for urgent needs, will be permitted to pass,” stated a senior leader from the farming community.

The decision to initiate the 'Punjab Bandh' was made last week by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM).

Sarwan Singh Pandher, who is the coordinator for both organizations, mentioned that a variety of groups, including traders, transporters, employees' unions, toll plaza workers, laborers, ex-servicemen, Sarpanches, teachers' unions, and other social bodies have rallied in support of the bandh.

Farmers associated with SKM (Non-Political) and KMM have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, after their march to Delhi was halted by law enforcement.

With Jagjit Singh Dallewal's indefinite hunger strike reaching its 34th day on Sunday, farmer leaders at Khanauri indicated they are adhering to a Gandhian approach to their protest and it is the government’s choice whether to use force against their senior leader.

He further emphasized that the farmers wish to clarify that any resulting situation will be the responsibility of the Centre and constitutional authorities.

Rail and road traffic will be suspended on Monday.

In solidarity with the farmers' Bandh call, bus services throughout Punjab will be halted on Monday.

The PRTC bus services will cease operations for four hours, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., while private bus operators have pledged their full support, declaring a complete service suspension from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday.

In addition to a legal assurance on the MSP for crops, farmers are also demanding debt forgiveness, pensions for farmers and agricultural laborers, no increase in electricity tariffs, the withdrawal of police cases, and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri incident.

Furthermore, the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 and compensation for the families of farmers who died during previous protests in 2020-21 are also among their demands.

This bandh, according to the farmer leader, aims to compel the Centre to acknowledge their demands, criticizing the Union government for its failure to address farmers' concerns.

Farmers under the SKM (Non-Political) and KMM banners have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13, after law enforcement obstructed their march to Delhi.

A group of 101 farmers made three attempts to enter Delhi on foot on December 6, December 8, and December 14; however, security personnel in Haryana prevented their progress.

There will be a complete bandh on December 30, as stated by farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher.

Yet, emergency services will remain active.

Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher confirmed that the call for a 'Punjab bandh' on December 30 is receiving substantial backing from various sectors.

The call for a 'Punjab bandh' was decided last week by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.

To secure the efficacy of the bandh, SKM (Non-political) and KMM conducted a meeting with transporters, employees, traders, and others at the Khanauri protest site last Thursday.