Farmers called for Punjab Bandh on Monday in support of the ongoing protest on Shambhu and Khanauri border of Haryana-Punjab. From 7 am to 4 pm, farmers sat on highways and railway tracks at 140 places. During this time, traffic was completely closed on Amritsar-Jalandhar-Panipat-Delhi and Amritsar-Jammu. All universities including Punjab University Chandigarh had postponed the exams to be held today.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, 'We did not have to force anyone to close the shops. We got support from Vyapar Mandal, Arhatiya Association, Jathebandis and Unions. Protests took place at about 270 places.'
Punjab Bandh effect on Railways & Road Transport
Due to the farmers' Punjab Bandh, the Railways cancelled 163 trains including Vande Bharat. Jhelum Express going from Pune to Jammu Tawi was stopped at Jalandhar Cantt station. Passengers from other states including Uttar Pradesh, Pune, Bihar, and Kolkata were troubled at the railway stations of Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Ludhiana. Many passengers had to stay in hotels when the train was cancelled.
Buses running on 576 routes from Punjab to 8 states also remained closed. Buses from other states including Haryana and Himachal also did not come to Punjab.
Apart from this, markets were also closed along with gas and petrol pumps. However, Ludhiana's famous Chowra Bazaar remained open. Here, farmers who came to close the shops had an argument with the shopkeepers.
Argument between police, farmers and shopkeepers during the shutdown
In Jalandhar, there was a tussle between farmers and police over stopping pedestrians. At the same time, there was an argument between farmers and people over blocking the Basti Jodhewal Chowk and Khanna in Ludhiana.
At Ladowal toll plaza in Ludhiana, a person tried to drive a car over a farmer who was blocking the road. After which he was caught. He said that this happened by mistake.
In Jalandhar, the wedding procession got stuck in the jam of farmers. The groom's car was also among them. However, the groom came out and held the flag of the Kisan Union and raised slogans of Kisan Zindabad. Then he went ahead with the wedding procession.