New Delhi: A statewide bandh called by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha brought traffic disruptions across Punjab on Friday, with several major highways blocked and security intensified at the Chandigarh-Mohali border. The shutdown, observed from 7 am to 2 pm, was organised to press for the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences but remain in jail.
Supporters of the bandh blocked roads at multiple locations, including the Zirakpur-Patiala highway near Jangpura village and the Bathinda-Barnala highway at Rampur Mau Chowk. In Mohali, protesters gathered outside Gurdwara Sohana Sahib, where traffic movement was affected as police closely monitored the situation.
Visuals from Mohali’s Phase 7 showed demonstrators stopping vehicles and restricting traffic flow at busy intersections. Authorities deployed additional security personnel at key entry and exit points to prevent any escalation and manage congestion.
The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha said the protest was aimed at securing justice for Sikh prisoners, some of whom have allegedly remained incarcerated for nearly three decades despite completing their legal sentences. Organisers appealed for public cooperation and clarified that ambulances and other emergency service vehicles would be allowed to pass without obstruction.
The bandh received support from several organisations, including the Shiromani Akali Dal, Waris Punjab De and the Small Scale District Bus Operator Welfare Association. In Ludhiana alone, around 800 private buses remained off the roads during the shutdown, significantly affecting public transport services.
However, not all groups endorsed the protest. The Congress said it would take a position only after guidance from its state leadership, while the Jamhuri Kisan Sabha maintained a neutral stand, urging equal attention to the release of all eligible Sikh prisoners rather than focusing on individual cases.
Police continued monitoring sensitive locations as authorities assessed the overall impact of the bandh across the state.
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