Tue Dec 31 03:15:37 UTC 2024: ## Punjab Shut Down as Farmers Protest MSP Demands

**Chandigarh, Punjab –** A state-wide bandh (shutdown) in Punjab on Monday brought life to a standstill as farmers protested against the central government’s failure to address their demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support prices (MSP) for crops. The shutdown, called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, caused widespread disruption to road and rail traffic, with major highways and railway lines blocked in cities like Patiala, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Bathinda, and Pathankot. Many commercial establishments remained closed.

The impact extended to neighboring Haryana, where train services were disrupted, stranding hundreds of passengers, including those returning from religious ceremonies. While some areas reported limited impact, rural Punjab was significantly affected. Even milk, fruit, and vegetable supplies were disrupted.

The protest also highlighted the ongoing hunger strike of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, now in its 35th day. The Supreme Court is scheduled to review the Punjab government’s efforts to provide him with medical treatment on Tuesday. Dallewal has refused medical aid, fearing the use of force to remove him from the protest site and demanding dialogue with the central government.

The Punjab government faced criticism from opposition leaders, including Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, who accused the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of mishandling the situation and colluding with the BJP. Similar criticism came from Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, who accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of conspiring to crush the farmers’ movement.

Despite the disruption, farmer leaders declared the bandh a success, thanking the public for their support. Emergency services were reportedly exempted from the shutdown. The Indian Railways cancelled over 200 trains in the state due to the protests. The farmers’ demands include not only a legal guarantee on MSP but also debt waivers, pensions, and the withdrawal of police cases.

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