Patiala/Bathinda/Amritsar/Chandigarh: Normal life was disrupted across several districts of Punjab on Friday after a statewide bandh called by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha and backed by hardline Sikh bodies and farmer unions shuttered businesses and halted public transport.The strike, which ran from 7 am to 2 pm, was called to demand the release of “Bandi Singhs“ (Sikh prisoners who remain jailed despite serving their sentences). Protesters are also demanding a 10-day parole for former chief minister Beant Singh assassination case convict Jagtar Singh Hawara, whose mother is critically ill.The shutdown drew strong response across Patiala, Sangrur, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Gurdaspur, where major markets, commercial hubs, and private schools remained closed. However, the strike saw a mixed response in Malerkotla and had minimal impact in Pathankot.Bus terminals saw reduced footfall as public and private operators suspended services until 2 pm to avoid traffic jams.Protesters, including members of BKU (Krantikari) and Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), staged blockades at Bathinda-Zirakpur national highway at Rampura Phul and Ladpalwan toll plaza on the Pathankot-Amritsar highway.While essential services like hospitals, pharmacies, govt offices and marriage processions were officially exempted, traffic blockades briefly delayed ambulances in few areas.Heavy police deployment was made at many places across the state, including Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Mohali.Chandigarh Police personnel, including the Rapid Action Force, were deputed along the barricades put up at the Mohali-Chandigarh border points.
