Punjab will observe a state-wide bandh on 30th December from 7 AM to 4 PM, with both government and private offices remaining closed. The bandh, called by farmer unions, will disrupt rail and road traffic across the state. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, speaking at a press conference at the Khanauri border in Sangrur district, confirmed the closure of all offices and services during the bandh.
Pandher emphasized that the bandh is being supported by numerous unions and groups, including traders, transporters, employees unions, toll plaza workers, and teachers’ unions. “We urge the people of Punjab to complete any necessary travel or work before the bandh starts. However, medical services will remain operational,” Pandher said.
The bandh is a continuation of the farmers’ protest that began on 13th February 2024, now entering its 318th day. Farmers are demanding a law to guarantee the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, along with other key issues such as debt waivers, pensions for farmers and farm laborers, and the withdrawal of police cases against protestors.
In support of the bandh, bus services in Punjab will be suspended. The Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC) and private bus operators have announced that buses will not run from 7 AM to 4 PM, with PRTC suspending services for four hours, from 10 AM to 2 PM.
The bandh will lead to disruptions in both road and rail traffic. While government and non-government institutions will remain closed, emergency services will continue as usual. District-level meetings will be held on Friday to review the arrangements for the bandh.
Farmers have been protesting at the Khanauri and Shambhu borders, located between Punjab and Haryana, since February 2024. Their demands also include a legal guarantee for MSP, the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, compensation for the families of farmers who died during previous agitations, and justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
Pandher criticized the central government for not addressing the farmers’ demands and expressed confidence that the bandh would pressure the government to take action.
