Punjab to Experience Total Shutdown on December 30, Medical Services Remain Functional: Farm Leader Pandher

Chandigarh, Dec 26 (NationPress) Protesting agricultural unions declared on Thursday that they have secured commitments from a diverse range of employee unions, traders, and transporters to participate in the Punjab shutdown scheduled for December 30 in support of their demands, which include a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

Criticizing the Centre for its failure to acknowledge the demands of the protesting farmers, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher emphasized that essential services, travelers headed to airports, and students attending exams would be exempt from the shutdown.

"Emergency services, including medical services, will remain operational, airport travelers will not face disruptions, and vehicles for wedding parties will also be allowed to pass. Furthermore, students will be permitted to attend their examinations. We call upon the people of Punjab, particularly the youth, to adhere to the decisions made by the forum," he stated to the media.

The farmers have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, advocating for their long-standing demands. In addition to the legal MSP for crops, they are also seeking loan waivers and reforms aimed at enhancing conditions within the agricultural sector.

In another development, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has reached out to President Droupadi Murmu, requesting a meeting to discuss their concerns.

The SKM expressed its desire to address the situation regarding farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike and other urgent matters, including the establishment of a National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing.

As of Thursday, Dallewal’s fast-unto-death has entered its 31st day.

Previously, railway passengers faced disruptions in Punjab due to a three-hour "rail roko" protest on December 18, where farmers blocked rail tracks.

This protest occurred at over 100 sites across the state, severely affecting railway operations, initiated by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.

A group of 101 farmers made three attempts to march to Delhi on foot between December 6 and 14 but were intercepted by Haryana’s security personnel.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann criticized the BJP-led Union government on December 24 for its "stepmotherly treatment" of farmers, indicating that they were not given a chance to express their legitimate demands.

In a statement, the Chief Minister remarked that global leader Narendra Modi "is more concerned with the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, while showing indifference towards the nation’s food producers."

He pointed out that the Union government has been overtly dismissive of the genuine needs of farmers nationwide, which he deemed highly regrettable.

The Chief Minister reminded PM Modi that during a critical period of food production crisis, the industrious and dedicated farmers of Punjab had played a pivotal role in making the country self-sufficient in grains.

He noted that farmers from the state had even overused the limited natural resources available, including fertile soil and water, to contribute to the national food supply.