Normal life was hit as farmers blocked highways, roads and squatted on railway tracks at many places in Punjab and Haryana today in view of a “Bharat Bandh” called by farm unions against three agriculture laws of the Centre.
In Punjab, the ruling Congress said it firmly stands by the farm unions’ “Bharat Bandh” call against the three contentious laws. The shutdown was almost complete in the state, with transport services suspended during the bandh period, while shops and other commercial establishments remained shut at most places. National and state highways in several districts, including Amritsar, Rupnagar, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Sangrur, Mohali, Ludhiana, Ferozepur, Bathinda, were blocked by the protesters.
Since morning, traffic snarls were reported at the Delhi-Gurugram and Delhi-Uttar Pradesh borders. Furthermore, several trains were cancelled in Delhi, Ambala and Firozpur divisions. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait apologised to all those who have been facing problems owing to the Bharat Bandh.
As Monday's Bharat Bandh inches closer to its end at 4pm, BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said that the event has been “successful”. “We had full support of farmers...We can't seal down everything as we have to facilitate the movement of people,” he was quoted as saying by ANI. Tikait added that farmers are ready for talks with the central government, but “no talks are happening.”
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday requested the Centre to consider the demands of farmers protesting against the three farm laws. "We are celebrating the birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh. He made the supreme sacrifice for the freedom of the nation. He did not fight for freedom for a day when farmers have to sit on the streets and protest for a year to get their demands considered," he said.
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The effect of the shutdown was visible in many districts of the state, including Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Sikar and Nagaur. Mandis and markets were partially closed in the cities and towns of these districts.