Tight Security At Chandigarh-Mohali Borders As Punjab Bandh Begins
Shops shut at several locations as Qaumi Insaf Morcha supporters stage blockades; essential services, medical emergencies and other exemptions remain in place.
Chandigarh, Aug 21: Several shops and markets remained closed across parts of Punjab on Friday as the Punjab Bandh called by the Qaumi Insaf Morcha began, with heightened security arrangements at key Chandigarh-Mohali border points.
The shutdown, scheduled from 7 am to 2 pm, has been organised to press for the release of ‘Bandi Singhs’ or Sikh prisoners who remain incarcerated in various cases.
Security personnel have been deployed extensively across the state, particularly in Amritsar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar, to prevent any untoward incident and maintain public order.
At the Chandigarh-Mohali border, police personnel, including members of the Rapid Action Force, were stationed near barricades erected at several entry and exit points. Morcha supporters also parked vehicles at different locations in Mohali and Patiala, resulting in blockades and inconvenience for commuters.
Markets in places such as Sangrur and Mohali remained closed during the morning hours. Medical shops, however, continued to operate to ensure access to essential medicines.
A federation of private schools had declared a holiday for Friday in view of the shutdown. Panjab University also rescheduled examinations that were scheduled for the day.
The Qaumi Insaf Morcha has appealed to traders, shopkeepers, transporters, commercial establishments and educational institutions to participate in the shutdown. Morcha leaders said essential activities, including medical emergencies, airport travel, examinations and wedding ceremonies, would remain exempt.
The bandh has received support from several Sikh and political organisations, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit General) and Shiromani Akali Dal Waris Punjab De.
Farmer organisations have also backed the call. Bharti Kisan Union (Rajewal) extended its support, while Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher appealed to people to participate in the shutdown.
A major demand of the Morcha is parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is serving a life sentence in connection with the 1995 assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and supported granting Hawara 10 days of parole so he can meet his ailing mother.
The organisation is also seeking the release of other prisoners, including Balwant Singh Rajoana and Devinderpal Singh Bhullar. Rajoana was convicted in the Beant Singh assassination case, while Bhullar is serving a sentence related to the 1993 Delhi bomb blast case.
The Qaumi Insaf Morcha has maintained a prolonged protest at Sector 52-53 in Chandigarh and the adjoining YPS Chowk in Mohali since January 7, 2023, demanding the release of Sikh prisoners.
