Farmers’ Punjab Bandh concludes peacefully in Amritsar

The Punjab bandh, called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to demand a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops, brought life to a halt in several districts. Tarn Taran, Jandiala Guru, Ajnala, Majitha, and Amritsar experienced a complete shutdown on Monday. The bandh also extended to Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran, where residents stayed home, and shops, eateries, and commercial hubs remained closed.

In Amritsar, popular markets like Hall Bazaar, Katra Jaimal Singh Bazaar, and Ranjit Avenue District Shopping Complex appeared deserted. Protesters gathered at Hall Gate and marched through the markets to ensure the closure. Offices, banks, and schools were shut from 7 am to 4 pm, while essential health services continued. Public transport, including buses and auto-rickshaws, was absent from the roads, with only a few private vehicles visible.

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Solidarity and mixed responses

Farmers from the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) staged sit-ins at key points in Amritsar. Kanwardalip Singh, a KMSC leader, expressed satisfaction with the public’s support, saying it showed solidarity for the farmers’ cause. In Gurdaspur, the bandh saw full participation, with farm union members appealing to traders and the public to cooperate. A similar situation was observed in Batala.

However, the response in Pathankot was mixed. While many shops remained closed, some stayed open until the protesting farmers passed through, prompting traders to shut their businesses temporarily. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) also closed its offices in support, along with other Sikh organizations like the Sikh Students Federation (Mehta).

Overall, the bandh highlighted widespread support for the farmers’ demands, emphasizing the unity of various sections of society in their struggle for a common cause.