Traders’ associations down shutters, lawyers strike work in support of farmers’ bandh call

Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 26

Residents supported the Bharat bandh call given by farmers owing allegiance to the Samyukt Kisan Morcha today. The city witnessed complete shutdown throughout the day during protest.

Students, faculty and non-teaching officials of Punjabi University held a protest outside the university campus while market associations observed bandh in the city. The District Bar Association held a separate protest in farmers support.

Members of the Bar association stage a protest in support of the nationwide strike called by farmers' unions, in Patiala, on Friday. Tribune photos: Rajesh Sachar

Farmers, meanwhile, held a protest at the Jorian Sadkan Devigarh- Cheeka road today. Farmers said they were protesting for the minimum support price for all crops and for repealing of the three new farm laws. They had been protesting for the last four months, farmers added.

Members of the Bharatiya Kisan Ekta Manch, Bharatiya Kisan Union Rajewal, dairy unions and Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta Dakaunda participated in the protest along with others.

Traders protest at Lahori Gate

Traders of the district also supported the bandh call and held a protest at the Lahori Gate. Rakesh Gupta, president, the Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal, Patiala, said, "Patiala witnessed 100 per cent closure of shops. "Earlier, we held a protest at the Sabzi Mandi on the Sanaur road. Later, a protest was organised from 11 am to 1 pm at the Lahori Gate. All members of various market associations participated in the protest," he added.

"The Centre Government should now fulfil demands of farmers and find a solution to all issues. All people of the country are protesting against the three farm laws," he said.

Work suspended at court complex

During protest at the district court complex, Jatinder pal Singh Ghumaan, president, Patiala District Bar Association, said, work at the court complex remained suspended as all advocates held a protest to show solidarity with farmers agitation."

Entry gates closed at Punjabi University

Professors of Punjabi University along with non-teaching faculty members and students also closed university gates and held a protest. The Punjabi University Teachers Association secretary said, "We closed entry gates of the university during protest. We demand that the government should revoke all the three farm laws. We condemn the Essential Commodities Act, which allows the corporate sector to store grains in abundance."

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