Punjab is set to observe a bandh on August 21, with the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha calling for a statewide shutdown over the demand for the release of eligible Sikh prisoners, commonly referred to as Bandi Singhs.
According to the bandh announcement shared by the organisers, the shutdown will be observed from 7 AM to 2 PM.
As per the poster, schools and colleges will remain closed, while shops and factories have been appealed to shut till 2 PM. The announcement also states that highways will remain closed and buses and other vehicles will not be allowed to operate during the bandh hours.
However, the organisers have stated that people travelling for airports, weddings and dhabas will be allowed to move. Hospitals and chemist shops have also been kept out of the shutdown.
The bandh call comes after the August 15 confrontation at the Chandigarh-Mohali border, where protesters of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha attempted to march towards Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria's residence, demanding the release of Bandi Singhs and parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara.
The situation escalated after protesters allegedly attempted to cross police barricades. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd, while protesters accused the administration of using excessive force.
Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann was also detained during the protest.
The bandh has now received support from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has backed the call, and according to the decision, SGPC offices and institutions will remain closed on August 21.
The poster also states that various organisations across Punjab have extended support to the bandh.
Now it is to be observed that how widespread the shutdown will be and what impact it will have on transport, markets, highways and public services across the state.
