Punjab witnessed widespread disruption on Monday as farmers enforced a state-wide bandh from 7 am to 4 pm, blocking roads and halting public transportation in protest against the Centre?s refusal to meet their demands. The bandh, organized by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, has caused significant inconvenience across the state.

Roads and Highways Blocked

Farmers staged protests at multiple locations, including Dhareri Jattan Toll Plaza on the Patiala-Chandigarh National Highway, disrupting vehicular movement. In Amritsar, demonstrators assembled at the Golden Gate, while in Bathinda?s Rampura Phul area, roads were blocked, leaving commuters stranded.

Transportation Services Affected

Public transportation took a major hit as buses remained off the roads and the Railways canceled 150 trains, including prominent services like Vande Bharat and Shatabdi Express. Emergency services were exempted from the bandh, ensuring that people traveling for medical emergencies, weddings, job interviews, and flights were not affected.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher emphasized the planned nature of the protest, stating, ?The bandh will be observed from 7 am to 4 pm, but emergency services will remain operational. We do not intend to disrupt essential services or emergency travel.?

Farmers Demand Legal Guarantee on MSP

The bandh is a continuation of the farmers? agitation demanding a legal guarantee of a minimum support price (MSP) for their crops. Hundreds of farmers have been protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border, accusing the government of failing to address their concerns.

Impact Across Punjab

The statewide shutdown has affected commuters and disrupted daily life. Businesses, markets, and public offices in many areas remained closed in solidarity with the farmers.

As the bandh concludes at 4 pm, the focus shifts to whether the Centre will respond to the farmers? demands or if further protests will escalate in the coming days.