Darshan Singh Sodhi
SAS Nagar (Mohali), 30 December
The Punjab Bandh called by the United Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) today received the full support of common citizens, shopkeepers and small traders. District Mohali remained completely closed except at isolated places. Demonstrations against the governments were held by various farmers’ organizations at 15 to 18 places in Mohali district. Meanwhile, traffic on other major roads including Mohali-Kharar National Highway was affected. However, emergency services were restored at all places. Ambulances, trains, people going to Mohali airport were allowed to pass. SP City Harbir Singh Atwal and DSP Harsimran Singh Bal and Harsimrat Singh took charge of security arrangements in Mohali.
The largest sit-in demonstration in Mohali district was witnessed at the common boundary of Sector-81 and Sector-82. Farmers and women from Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal), Puadh, Dakounda, Krantikari, Lakhowal, Kisan and Youth Welfare Union, Sidhupur and other organizations participated here. Small children were also seen carrying peasant flags. In this dharna, former Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, Mohali Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi and Shiromani Akali Dal Constituency Incharge Parvinder Singh Sohana reached and raised slogans in favor of the farmers.
Bibi Harmanpreet Kaur Virk, Paramdeep Singh Baidwan, Tarlochan Singh, Kuldeep Singh Bhagomajra, Prateek Singh, Karamjit Singh Chilla, Numdar Harvinder Singh also spoke on this occasion. The farmers announced that until their issues are resolved, the struggle will continue. Trains were also stopped by hoisting farmer’s flags on the railway track near village Chilla Mor along with CP-67 Mall Chowk in front of the historical Gurudwara Singh Shaheedan Sohana. Kharar Main Bus Stand, Sector-123 Gopal Sweets Chowk, Daun-Ballomajra, Kharar Launderan Road, Launderan to Banur Road, Above and Below Flyover on National Highway, Zirakpur, Dapar Toll Plaza, Sarsini, Jharmani, Azijpur Toll Plaza, Banur, Kurali, Siswan Road, Majri Block, Mullanpur Roads were blocked at Garibdas, New Chandigarh and others.
Banur (Karamjit Singh Chilla):
The Punjab bandh call given by the United Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha today received a huge response in Banur region. On this occasion, the block president of Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta-Sidhupur Tarlochan Singh Nandyali, Bhupinder Singh and other farmers jammed at Azizpur Toll Plaza. Ex-servicemen including women, Punjab Roadways Bus Contract Union participated in this. Similarly, under the guidance of farmers’ leaders Joginder Singh, Gurwinder Singh Rampur, Harjinder Singh Buta Singh Wala, Harminder Billa Jangpura, Bhupinder Singh, a jam was held near village Jangpura on the Banur-Rajpura national highway. Farmers under the leadership of Sarpanch Harbans Singh, Gurdeep Singh started a jam at Dharmagarh T-point. Banur Chamber of Commerce participated in the jam at Banur Barrier Chowk. A jam was put in place at Airport Chowk in Dayri. Farmers also put up jams at Saneta and Durali. Due to the traffic jams on the roads, the passers-by were also inconvenienced and there were queues of freight vehicles on the national highway.
Ambulances were easily given way during the sit-ins
Derabassi/Zirakpur (Harjit Singh):
The call for a Punjab Bandh today saw full support in Zirakpur and Derabassi of the sub-division. Meanwhile, the farmers of the area have completely stopped traffic on different roads apart from Chandigarh Ambala National Highway, Barwala Road. Ambulances carrying patients were easily given way by the farmers sitting on the roads. On this occasion, the main dharna was given by the farmers at village Bhankharpur on the Chandigarh Ambala highway. The farmers raised slogans against the government and demanded early fulfillment of their demands. On the other hand, due to the farmers keeping the roads closed, people tried to reach their destination by using the internal road of the village, but due to dharna at different points, the people’s efforts failed. People continued to protest on different roads of the area till the dharna was opened.
The media personnel had to face a lot of problems
Mohali:
During the sit-in near CP-67 Mall, the media workers faced a lot of problems. Due to personal enmity, some of the hooligans were going to the extent of talking to people including journalists under the guise of a gathering of protesting youth. Due to this, many media personnel showed wisdom by looking back. On receiving the information, DSP Harsimran Singh Bal also reached the spot and took stock of the situation. Later the situation calmed down. When the leaders of the farmers’ organizations came to know about the mistreatment of the media, they also called it unfortunate and clarified that the protesting farmers were not members of the farmers’ organization. Meanwhile, a case of some persons riding in a jeep forcibly closing shops in the city also came to light. Peasant flags were hung on the jeep.
Chandigarh bus station people were in trouble
Chandigarh (News-Patiala News Service):
The impact of the ‘Punjab Bandh’ call was also seen in Chandigarh. Due to the closure of Punjab, people continued to suffer at the bus stand located in Sector-43 of Chandigarh. Meanwhile, a large number of people reached the Chandigarh bus stand, but due to the suspension of traffic through Punjab, more buses did not ply. Apart from this, PRTC workers also announced not to run buses from 10 am to 2 pm in support of farmers. Due to this, many people were staying at the Chandigarh bus stand. Meanwhile, the youths who came from Jodhpur said that they have to go to Manali, but as the buses were not running, they remained standing in Chandigarh. People who come early in the morning for work also had to wait for the buses at the bus stand here till the evening.