Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): A statewide shutdown called by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha is being observed in Punjab today, with the seven-hour protest expected to affect road, rail and commercial activity at several places.
The bandh began at 7 am and will continue until 2 pm. The protest has been called primarily to press for the release of Sikh prisoners who, according to the Morcha, have completed their sentences but continue to remain behind bars.
Another prominent demand is the grant of a 10-day parole to Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is serving a sentence in connection with the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.
Road movement likely to be disrupted
Protesters have announced plans to block national and state highways along with district-level roads. The move is likely to affect commuters and could lead to diversions and delays on important routes.
Buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws may also experience interruptions because of the planned road blockades. While no blanket order has been announced to stop public transport, the protests could impact normal services.
Rail passengers may face similar difficulties. The Morcha has announced that railway tracks will also be blocked at protest locations, potentially affecting train movement during the bandh.
Markets and institutions asked to stay shut
The protest call includes an appeal to shopkeepers, markets, malls and wholesale trading centres to keep their establishments closed for the duration of the shutdown.
Some educational institutions in Chandigarh and Mohali have already announced closure, while the Private Schools Association has appealed to schools to observe the bandh.
SGPC-run offices and educational institutions are also expected to remain closed.
There is, however, no statewide announcement ordering the closure of banks or government offices. Their functioning could still be affected in areas where protesters gather or roads are blocked.
Support from several organisations
The bandh has received support from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), Dal Khalsa and the Hawara Committee. Various Panthic organisations and farmer-labour groups have also backed the protest.
Protest linked to August 15 developments
Apart from the issue of prisoners who have completed their sentences, the Morcha is protesting the police action against demonstrators at the Chandigarh-Mohali border on August 15.
It has also demanded the unconditional release of people detained during the incident.
With the shutdown limited to seven hours, authorities are monitoring sensitive locations and movement on major routes. The extent of disruption will depend on the number of protest sites and the implementation of road and railway blockades across the state.
