Farmers’ protest 2024 | SKM bandh call evokes mixed response; Centre and farmers to meet on February 18 amid fresh face-off
The Hindu
Mixed response to nationwide shutdown call by Samyukta Kisan Morcha in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh.
The nationwide shutdown call given by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) evoked mixed response in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh on February 16.
The ‘Grameen Bharat bandh’ call was given by the SKM to press the Centre government to accept the farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price.
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Normal life was disrupted in Punjab owing to the bandh. Shops and commercial establishments were seen completely or partially closed in most of the rural parts of the State. In major cities including Patiala and Ludhiana, shops and commercial establishments were open.
Farmers squatted on roads Including national highways in Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Bathinda and Jalandhar, disrupting vehicular traffic. As buses stayed off the roads, commuters faced problems in travelling.
In Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, shops and commercial establishments were open in most of the markets. The vehicular traffic was also plying close to normal in the city.
In Haryana, the bandh had a partial impact. Members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni) staged demonstrations at several toll plazas across the State. In Hisar, the Haryana Roadways services were affected as its employees stayed away from work.