Punjab shutdown: farmers block roads, trains disrupted

Chandigarh: A massive shutdown called by farmer organisations in Punjab on Monday received a significant response, with farmers staging protests over demands such as a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops. However, emergency services remained operational despite widespread disruptions.

More than 200 trains, including Vande Bharat and Shatabadi, were affected, and private bus operators also joined the shutdown. The strike was called in support of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for over a month, seeking the fulfilment of farmers' demands.

Farmers, including women and elderly participants, took to the streets, compelling businesses to close and halting traffic. National highways in several towns and cities were blocked, severely disrupting the daily commute for office-goers and residents. The nine-hour shutdown, scheduled to conclude at 4 p.m., was largely peaceful, with no reports of untoward incidents. Police were deployed to guide motorists, advising them to avoid traveling or use alternative routes.

Reports indicated that shops and business establishments were closed in cities such as Mohali, Patiala, Ludhiana, Moga, Ferozepur, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, and Jalandhar. The impact was especially strong in rural areas, where farmers, carrying their outfit flags, closed nearly all roads.

Private bus transporters, too, joined the strike, leading to a suspension of most private bus services across Punjab. Many schools and offices declared holidays due to the shutdown. However, Chandigarh remained largely unaffected by the strike.

Protesting farm unions announced that they had secured support from various employee unions, traders, and transporters, who pledged to join the shutdown in solidarity with the farmers' demands.

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, while addressing the Centre’s failure to address farmers' concerns, clarified that emergency services, airport-bound passengers, and students traveling for exams would be exempt from the shutdown. He stated that medical services would continue, and passengers bound for airports would not be stopped. Vehicles for marriage parties and students attending exams would also be allowed to pass.

Farmers have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, demanding legal MSP for crops, loan waivers, and reforms to improve conditions in the agricultural sector. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) also wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, requesting a meeting to discuss their issues, including the hunger strike by Jagjit Singh Dallewal and the introduction of a National Policy Framework on Agricultural Marketing.

Meanwhile, Dallewal's fast-unto-death entered its 35th day on Monday. A delegation led by retired Additional Director General of Police Jaskaran Singh had met Dallewal on Sunday evening, attempting to persuade him to end his fast, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

With IANS inputs