Mundane life was disrupted as protesting farmers blocked roads and passages as a part of their ‘Punjab Bandh Call’ against the Centre, laying out demands including MSP (Minimum Support Price) for their crops.
Image Credits: The Hindu
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (N-P) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha told the state last week that they would be holding a bandh from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. due to the centre’s refusal to accept demands.
Today, a complete and peaceful shutdown was observed as rail operations were majorly suspended, and public transport such as buses and other vehicles remained off the roads, leaving several passengers and commuters stranded. Stores had their shutters down during the bandh, and even petrol pumps were shut down.
Despite the cold and harsh winter conditions, with the dense fog, farmers staged dharnas on various roads and highways including in cities like Patiala, Amritsar, Ferozpur, Jalandhar, Bhatinda and Pathankot, creating a blockage for the traffic.
Meanwhile, Farmer Leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal (70) entered his 35th day of hunger strike on Monday and has refused any medical support the state offers.
In retaliation, the top court has ordered the state government until December 31st to have Mr Dallewal shifted to a hospital, and granted them liberty to seek logistical support from the Centre if required.
A band of 101 farmers has attempted to march towards Delhi, one foot, thrice between December 6 and 14, but have faced security personnel from Harayana, preventing them from reaching/ crossing the borders.
The farmers aligned with the MSP (N-P) are also demanding pensions, debt waivers, limited to no hikes in electricity tariffs, withdrawal of FIRs and “Justice” for the Victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri Violence in 2021.
