The Crossbill Team
In response to a statewide bandh called by two prominent Punjab farmer unions, security measures have been heightened across the state.
From 6:30 am onward, groups of farmers began assembling at strategic locations, including highways and railway stations, disrupting rail and road traffic.
The bandh, initiated in solidarity with farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s ongoing hunger strike, is scheduled to last from 7 am to 4 pm on Monday (December 30).
Dallewal, who is leading the protest under the banner of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) (Non-Political), has been on a fast-unto-death for over a month, demanding the implementation of 13 critical farm-related demands.
Despite his deteriorating health and refusal of medical intervention, the Punjab government has been unable to convince him to accept treatment.
The Supreme Court has also criticized the state government’s handling of the situation and has set a two-day deadline to shift Dallewal to a hospital.
The bandh has significantly impacted transportation and daily life across Punjab. Over 150 trains, including the Vande Bharat Express, have been cancelled, and public and private buses are off the roads due to blockades at over 200 locations on highways and link roads.
SKM and KMM leaders have confirmed that railway tracks will be obstructed at approximately 50 points across the state.
Educational institutions remain closed, while government offices are functioning without official exemptions. Emergency services, however, have been kept operational.
The bandh is expected to disrupt commercial activities, with truckers extending their support, leading to a suspension of operations in mandis dealing with fruits and vegetables.
The decision to call the bandh was announced last week by SKM (Non-Political) and KMM, led by their coordinator, Sarwan Singh Pandher.
The protest has garnered support from various quarters, including traders, transporters, toll plaza workers, ex-servicemen, employees’ unions, teachers’ associations, and sarpanches.
Farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, following the state’s decision to halt their march to Delhi.
From 6:30 am onward, groups of farmers began assembling at strategic locations, including highways and railway stations, disrupting rail and road traffic.
The bandh, initiated in solidarity with farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s ongoing hunger strike, is scheduled to last from 7 am to 4 pm on Monday (December 30).
Dallewal, who is leading the protest under the banner of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) (Non-Political), has been on a fast-unto-death for over a month, demanding the implementation of 13 critical farm-related demands.
Despite his deteriorating health and refusal of medical intervention, the Punjab government has been unable to convince him to accept treatment.
The Supreme Court has also criticized the state government’s handling of the situation and has set a two-day deadline to shift Dallewal to a hospital.
The bandh has significantly impacted transportation and daily life across Punjab. Over 150 trains, including the Vande Bharat Express, have been cancelled, and public and private buses are off the roads due to blockades at over 200 locations on highways and link roads.
SKM and KMM leaders have confirmed that railway tracks will be obstructed at approximately 50 points across the state.
Educational institutions remain closed, while government offices are functioning without official exemptions. Emergency services, however, have been kept operational.
The bandh is expected to disrupt commercial activities, with truckers extending their support, leading to a suspension of operations in mandis dealing with fruits and vegetables.
The decision to call the bandh was announced last week by SKM (Non-Political) and KMM, led by their coordinator, Sarwan Singh Pandher.
The protest has garnered support from various quarters, including traders, transporters, toll plaza workers, ex-servicemen, employees’ unions, teachers’ associations, and sarpanches.
Farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, following the state’s decision to halt their march to Delhi.
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