Amid the ongoing chaos of farmers protests, Monday, December 30, 2024, has been declared as Punjab Bandh. The announcement has come after the farmers meeting held at the Khanauri border on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
Farmer leader of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Sarvan Singh Pandher, said that a statewide bandh for Punjab has been called for December 30. Speaking to the media, he said that the bandh has garnered support from several unions and groups across the state. The bandh will be effective from 7 am to 4 pm.
The farmer officer further announced that the government and private offices in Punjab will remain closed and there will be disruptions in railways and road traffic. However, the emergency services will also remain available.
Traders, transporters, employees’ unions, toll plaza workers, laborers, ex-servicemen, sarpanches, teachers’ unions, social and other bodies, and some other sections have also supported the bandh. Besides this, common people are also supporting it.
Notably, their meeting saw participation of the members of the following support groups, including educational staff, transport workers, electricity employees, ASHA workers, ex-servicemen, professors, journalists, business associations, etc.
Additionally, there will be a separate meeting held on Friday to finalize the details of the bandh.
Why has a Bandh been called?
Sarvan Singh Pandher noted that these actions are taken in the wake of ongoing protests and are aimed at raising the farmers demands. The bandh will force the central government to accept the farmers demands.
He slammed the central government for not fulfilling their demands, adding that the decision of calling Punjab Bandh was taken last week by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. This has been done to ensure the success of the bandh.
Why are Farmers Protesting, and What are their Demands?
The farmers across Punjab and Haryana are protesting against the central government seeking to implement a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price for crops. Besides this, they are also demanding services for facilitating farmers, including debt waivers, pensions for farmers and farm laborers, no hike in electricity bills, and withdrawal of police cases and justice for the Lakhimpur Kheri Violence in 2021.
The farmers are protesting and carrying out their campaigns at the Sambhu and Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.
Recent Updates in the Matter
Meanwhile, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a hunger strike for over 31 days at the Khanuari border. Despite being a cancer patient, he has been defending the rights of farmers against the center. His health has been deteriorating, and he is no longer able to speak and communicate.
Doctors have also issued a medical warning stating that Dallewal’s blood pressure is dangerously low and he has not eaten anything for the past 31 days and is only surviving on water.
Kanishka Malhotra is a seasoned journalist with a deep passion for reporting and uncovering the truth. With a specialization in research and investigative Journalism, she has covered wide range of topics related to social issues, travel, lifestyle, technology, Entertainment and much more. She believes to express and share her creativity to the world through words. With relentless pursuit of knowing and uncovering the truth, Kanishka continues to leave a mark in the world of journalism.
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