Farmers Movement Archive

Bharat bandh in Mohali complete, peaceful

MOHALI: The Bharat bandh call given by farmers’ organisations under the banner of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha against the three farm laws remained successful and peaceful in Mohali district on Monday. Mohali Beopar Mandal extended its full support to the farmers. Road and rail blockades hampered the intercity traffic movement and the main crossing points were blocked by the farmers and their supporters. Establishments showed their solidarity with farmers by keeping their shutters down and coming out on roads to protest. The Mohali markets were closed from 10am to 4pm and the roads, apart from protest sites, wore a deserted look. Only banks and chemist shops were open. In Zirakpur, the protesters block the Ambala highway from Patiala crossing to opposite ITI in LalruFarmer organisations, including Kisan Aid Mohali, Kisan Sangharsh Committee and Global Kisans, blocked the roads at light-points of Industrial Area, Godrej crossing, Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan, phases 8, 9, 10, 1-6, 3B2-5, 3B2-7, 7-8, IISER-Airport Road, Verka Chowk, YPS Chowk, Madanpur Chowk and all the entry and exit points at Mohali-Chandigarh borders. In Zirakpur, the protesters blocked the Ambala highway from Patiala crossing to opposite ITI in Lalru, where leaders from various political parties, leaving aside their rivalries, came out in support of farmers and stood on the same podium. The associations of traders, petrol pump dealers, advocates and industrialists of Mohali closed their establishments for a day in support of the call. Mohali deputy commissioner Isha Kalia said the protest was peaceful as no untoward incident was reported. All the SDMs were present at the strategic locations with administrative staff to help the police in maintaining law and order. Kalia said, “The DSPs and the SDMs were in close coordination. Executive magistrates and special executive magistrates were deployed to assist the SDMs, and fire brigades and ambulances were also deployed at key points.” Vineet Verma, president of Mohali Beopar Mandal, said, “We support the farmers and closed all our shops in Mohali. Only chemist shops were open. We believe that food producers of the country must get support from all of us.” The fuel stations were also shut from 10am to 4pm. Ashwinder Mongia, former president of the Mohali petrol dealers’ association, said, “We have closed all pumps in support of the bandh call.”

The Times of India

2021-09-28

Chandigarh