CHANDIGARH: The road and rail traffic in Punjab and nearby states likely to remain disrupted in Punjab and neighboring states on Monday following the Punjab Bandh call given by the farmer and laborer unions associated with the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political). Taking precautionary measures, the Indian Railways canceled 150 trains bound to Punjab and nearby states.
The farmers have announced a complete shutdown on December 30 with the blockade of road and rail blockades from 7 am to 4 pm. The farmer unions have also decided to stop supply of essentials like milk, fruits, and vegetables as several trade organizations have also lent their support to the bandh disrupting rail and road traffic in the state.
Meanwhile, the Haryana government has also issued a traffic advisory to passengers in Haryana as the traffic on highways connected Punjab to remain diverted.
In a video message in the morning farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that they have reports that farmers have blocked rail and road traffic on around 140 location in Punjab. He appealed people of Punjab to come out in support of farmers and laborers and make the Punjab Bandh successful.
Meanwhile, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal -who is on fast unto death for the past 34 days in a video message has also made an appeal to people of Punjab terming it fight for the future generations of farmers and laborers.
He urged the farmers of Punjab and Haryana to also mobilize a huge gathering at Khanauri border as the Punjab government may airlift him to the hospital as directions have been issued by the Supreme Court.
Hundreds of farmers protesting under the banner of SKM and KMM have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13. The Delhi march of these farmers was stopped by the Haryana police curtailing their attempts to hold protests in 2020-21 like protests in Delhi for the pending demands including guaranteed MSP and a loan waiver.
The farmers had earlier given a call for Punjab bandh after a “jatha” (group) of 101 farmers had attempted thrice to enter Delhi on foot on December 6, December 8 and December 14 but the security personnel in Haryana did not allow them to proceed.