‘Bandh’ has widespread impact in Punjab; daily life grinds to a halt in cities including Jalandhar and Amritsar.

‘Bandh’ has widespread impact in Punjab; daily life grinds to a halt in cities including Jalandhar and Amritsar.

The impact of the ‘Punjab Bandh’—called by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha to demand the release of imprisoned Sikhs—was evident from Jalandhar to Amritsar. Sikh organizations staged protests and raised slogans at the Golden Gate in Amritsar, while traffic was disrupted in Jalandhar due to sit-ins and road blockades at major intersections. Markets in Moga remained closed, and there was less traffic on the roads compared to normal days. In Mansa, protesters blocked roads to press for their demands. Meanwhile, the police remained on high alert in Mohali, and security arrangements were tightened in sensitive areas. Key demands of the protesters included the release of imprisoned Sikhs, the granting of parole to Jagtar Singh Hawara, and the withdrawal of cases registered in connection with the protests.