Amritsar, 30 Fec. 2024:A widespread shutdown affected Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran on Monday, following the Punjab bandh called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. The protest, aimed at urging the Centre to address farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops, had a noticeable impact on daily life across the region.
The bandh, marked by peaceful demonstrations, brought life to a standstill in major areas of Tarn Taran, Jandiala Guru, Ajnala, and Majitha. “People supported the call for the bandh, indicating solidarity with the farmers’ cause, which resonates with everyone,” said Kanwardalip Singh, a leader of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC).
Shops, eateries, and commercial hubs like Hall Bazaar, Katra Jaimal Singh Bazaar, and IDH Market remained shuttered throughout the day. The streets of Amritsar appeared deserted, with no buses or auto-rickshaws on the roads. A limited number of private vehicles could be seen in some areas, while government and private offices, along with banks and schools, stayed closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Essential services, excluding healthcare, were disrupted during the bandh.
Protesting farmers gathered at Hall Gate before marching through markets to ensure compliance with the shutdown. “The entire community has stood with farmers today, showing that this is a unified cause,” Singh added.
In Gurdaspur, the bandh was fully observed, with farm union members urging traders and residents to support the shutdown. Batala followed suit, with a similar response, while Pathankot saw a mixed reaction. Many shops in Pathankot remained closed, but a few businesses stayed open. As the protesters marched through, traders quickly shut their shops in support of the cause.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) joined the call by closing its offices, and various Sikh organizations, including the Sikh Students Federation (Mehta), expressed their solidarity with the farmers’ protests.
