Tue Dec 31 04:55:54 UTC 2024: **Punjab Shut Down by Farmer Protest: Crores Lost, Trains Disrupted**

CHANDIGARH, INDIA – A nine-hour statewide bandh (shutdown) in Punjab crippled normal life today, as farmers protested for a legal guarantee on minimum support prices (MSP) for their crops. The protest, organized by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, saw widespread participation, paralyzing road and rail services and closing commercial establishments across the state.

Farmers staged demonstrations at approximately 200 locations, causing significant disruption. The bandh, observed from 7 am to 4 pm, resulted in an estimated ₹1,400 crore (approximately $170 million USD) loss in Ludhiana alone, with traders and industrialists across Punjab reporting hundreds of crores in total losses. The Punjab government also suffered an estimated ₹40 crore loss in daily tax revenue.

Over 220 trains were affected, leaving thousands of passengers stranded, particularly impacting commuters at Ambala Cantonment railway station. While the bandh remained largely peaceful, some tense interactions between commuters and protesters were reported. Farmers did allow passage for emergency vehicles and those requiring urgent medical attention.

The protest also aims to support farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a 35-day hunger strike at the Khanauri border protest site. His deteriorating health prompted Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to cut short his Australia trip and return to facilitate negotiations. Despite attempts at mediation, Dallewal insists on talks between the farmers and the central government before accepting medical treatment. The Punjab government is reportedly seeking an extension from the Supreme Court, which has mandated medical care for Dallewal by December 31st.

A Supreme Court-appointed committee has invited Samyukt Kisan Morcha leaders for talks on January 3rd. However, dialogue between the central government and farmer unions remains stalled since talks broke down in February. Aam Aadmi Party MP Malvinder Singh Kang urged the Centre to resume negotiations, expressing concern over Dallewal’s health and criticizing the government’s inaction.

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