27th. September, 2021
Bharat Bandh updates | 50 trains affected, all services restored now: Railways
Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) said its call for a 'Bharat Bandh' received "unprecedented and historic" response from more than 23 States and not a single untoward incident was reported from anywhere
Life in parts of India, particularly Haryana, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh, was disrupted on Monday as a nationwide shutdown against three agri laws got underway with protesters blocking highways and key roads, and squatting on railway tracks in some places.
The Bharat Bandh, called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of 40 farm unions, marks one year since President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the three controversial laws and 10 months since thousands of farmers set up camp at Delhi’s border points to voice their protest.
The bandh remained in effect from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Here are the latest developments:
50 trains affected, all services restored now: Railways
Around 50 trains were affected by the Bharat Bandh called by farm unions on Monday to protest the Centre's three agri laws, officials said.
The affected train services became normal in the afternoon after people moved off rail tracks following the end of the 10-hour bandh, they said.
The shutdown disrupted lives across parts of India, particularly in the north. Protesters blocked highways and arterial roads, and squatted on tracks in several places from the morning as the shutdown called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of 40 farmer unions, got underway. The blockade was lifted at 4 pm.
"More than 20 locations in Delhi, Ambala, and Ferozepur divisions had been blocked. About 50 trains were affected due to this. All train movement is normal now since 4:30 pm," a spokesperson for the Northern Railway said.
Officials said the Delhi-Amritsar Shan-e-Punjab, New Delhi-Moga Express, Old Delhi-Pathankot Express, Vande Bharat Express from New Delhi to Katra, and Amritsar Shatabdi are some of the trains that have been affected.
The bandh started at 6 am and continued till 4 pm.
-PTI
Farmer bodies stage protests across State
In solidarity with the nationwide strike demanding repeal of the Centre's farm laws, farmer bodies, trade unions, including those backed by the ruling DMK and Left parties on Monday staged protests across Tamil Nadu.
Normal life was, however, not affected with public and private transport functioning as usual. Retail outlets, commercial establishments, banks and government offices also were open.
In a protest held in Chennai, State Secretaries of the CPI and CPI (M), R Mutharasan and K Balakrishnan respectively, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan and functionaries of the DMK affiliated Labour Progressive Federation participated.
Similar protests were held in several parts of the state, including Coimbatore, Madurai, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli and Kanyakumari in which office-bearers and elected representatives of the ruling DMK, Congress and Left parties participated.
-PTI
'Hartal' disrupts life, but peaceful with isolated incident of violence
The ruling LDF and opposition Congress-led UDF supported hartal in Kerala disrupted daily life in the state due to closure of shops and non-operation of public transportation, but it was generally peaceful, as private means of travel was unaffected, with one solitary incident of violence being reported from Kozhikode district.
In Kozhikode, supporters of the hartal allegedly ransacked the office of Asianet Broadband near Nadakkavu and destroyed equipment after the employees there declined the attackers demand to shut down the establishment in solidarity with the dawn-to-dusk strike in the state in support of the farmers' protests against the Centre's new farming laws.
The Nadakkavu Police Station SHO Santhosh told PTI that a group of hartal supporters manhandled the staff of the Asianet Broadband franchise office after they refused to shut shop.
"We have received a complaint from the franchise alleging verbal abuse and manhandling by a group of people supporting the hartal," the SHO said.
-PTI
Lukewarm response in Belagavi
Response to the 'Bharat Bundh 'called by farmer organisations was lukewarm in State's Belagavi district. However, members of some farmer associations and Congress and AAP workers and some labour unions held protests in several pockets of the district.
Most government and private offices and shops and eateries were open in the morning. NWKRTC buses and private vehicles were running as usual. Schools and colleges also remained open. Similar scenes were witnessed in Chikkodi, Gokak, Saundatti, Athani and other towns.
Agitating farmers tried to stop buses from leaving the NWKRTC bus stand in Belagavi in the morning, which delayed the departure of some buses. Protesters also burned tyres in front of the bus stand.
However, police dispersed the crowd after some time.
Security up at UP-Delhi borders, traffic hit on DND, Chilla routes in Noida
Security was beefed up along the borders of Ghaziabad and Noida with Delhi while traffic movement on some key routes was hit on Monday morning due to the Bharat Bandh called by a section of farmers against the Centre’s three agri laws.
The Ghaziabad Police closed a national highway that connects Ghaziabad and Nizamuddin in Delhi.
Heavy police force and the provincial armed constabulary (PAC) has been deployed in the district and routes have been diverted, Senior Superintendent of Police Pawan Kumar said, adding that the forces are on alert.
-PTI
Received unprecedented response to Bharat Bandh call: Samyukta Kisan Morcha
Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) said its call for a Bharat Bandh received "unprecedented and historic" response from more than 23 States and not a single untoward incident was reported from anywhere.
"Reports have been pouring in about the overwhelmingly positive and resounding response to the Bharat Bandh call … to mark 10 months of peaceful protests with rightful demands from the 'annadaatas' of the country. Spontaneous participation from various sections of the society was witnessed at most places," it said in a statement.
The SKM said the bandh was observed peacefully in "more than 23 States" and not a single untoward incident was reported.
It also appreciated State governments and political parties that extended support to the bandh.
"Reports have come in from hundreds of locations from Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Pondicherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal about the bandh, and numerous events to accompany the same," the statement said.
In Punjab alone, people gathered at more than 500 locations to express their support to the bandh. Numerous non-farmer associations also stood in solidarity with farmers, it said.
"Life came to a near standstill in several states like Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, Jharkhand and Bihar. Reports indicate that in several parts of southern Assam, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, this was the situation. Scores of protests marked the day in states like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand," the SKM said in the statement. — PTI
Mixed response to Bharath Bandh in Puducherry
There was a mixed response to the day-long Bharath bandh called for by farmers outfits.
Government-run buses were operated although the number of passengers was less than usual. Private fleet operators, autos and tempos went off road.
Government offices functioned as usual. Private schools declared a holiday for the day while the turnout of students in government schools for the restricted classes was poor, police sources said.
Workers and office-bearers of different trade unions, farmers associations and political parties supporting the bandh held demonstrations at various areas and courted arrest.
Policemen were deployed in strength and there was no untoward incident.
Petrol bunks on the outskirts of the town functioned normally. Shops and establishments remained closed so were vegetable and fish markets.
Groups of workers of the Puducherry unit of the DMK, CPI and other parties participated in picketing at the new bus terminal. — PTI
25 trains affected due to Bharat Bandh: Railways
About 25 trains have been affected due to the Bharat Bandh, officials said.
"More than 20 locations are being blocked in Delhi, Ambala, and Firozepur divisions. About 25 trains are affected due to this," a spokesperson for the Northern Railway said.
Officials said the Delhi-Amritsar Shan-e-Punjab, New Delhi-Moga Express, Old Delhi-Pathankot Express, Vande Bharat Express from New Delhi to Katra, and Amritsar Shatabdi are some of the trains that have been affected.
In the North-Western Railway zone, rail traffic on the Rewari-Bhiwani, Bhiwani-Rohtak, Bhiwani-Hisar and Hanumangarh-Sadulpur-Sriganganagar-Fatuhi sections has been affected due to the farmers' agitation.
According to Lt. Shashi Kiran, Chief Public Relations Officer, North-Western Railway, due to the bandh train, the Bathinda-Lalgarh special train service has been cancelled on Monday along with the Sriganganagar-Ambala special train service.
Partially cancelled train services include the Jaipur-Daulatpur Chowk Special train service which left Jaipur on Monday but will operate only till Dhulkot station.
While the Daulatpur Chowk–Jaipur Special will leave Ambala on Monday, instead of Daulatpur Chowk, this train will run partially between Daulatpur Chowk-Ambala stations.
Other partially operated services include the Tilakbridge–Sri Ganganagar Special train service which will operate from Rewari in place of Tilak Bridge, the Rewari–Jodhpur Special train which will operate from Sadulpur instead of Rewari and the Delhi Sarai Rohilla–Bikaner Special train service which will leave Delhi Sarai on Monday but will operate up to Sri Ganganagar station. — PTI
Bharat Bandh evokes mixed response in Chhattisgarh
The Bharat Bandh evoked a mixed response in Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh as most of the shops and establishments remained open in major cities.
Agitators staged protests at different locations and briefly blocked roads at many places in the State demanding repeal of the three laws.
Overall, the bandh remained peaceful with no untoward incident reported so far from any part of Chhattisgarh.
The ruling Congress had extended support to the national shutdown.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday tweeted that he supports the peaceful bandh and stands with farmer brothers.
Claiming that the bandh was successful, Chhattisgarh Kisan Sabha (CKS) chief Sanjay Parate said farmers, labourers and people from Surguja (northern Chhattisgarh) to Bastar (southern Chhattisgarh) have extended their support to farm unions protesting against the three “black” laws.
Most of the shops and other commercial establishments remained open throughout the day in the State capital Raipur and public transport remained unaffected. At some groups of agitators were seen asking shop owners to shut their facilities here.
In other major districts, including Bilaspur, Raigarh, Korba, Durga and Rajnandgaon, also the shops and commercial establishments functioned normally. — PTI
Bandh evokes lukewarm response in Andhra Pradesh
The Bharat Bandh called evoked lukewarm response in Andhra Pradesh though the YSR Congress government lent support.
Heavy to very heavy rains in different districts had a severe impact on normal life, other than the bandh.
Only at a few places like Tirupati, Anantapuramu and Kadapa did the Opposition parties stage protests against the farm laws.
The main Opposition Telugu Desam Party also supported the bandh, along with the Congress and the Left parties.
In the temple town of Tirupati, workers of Left parties squatted on the rail track inside the railway station before police whisked them away. A sit-in protest was also staged on the main road in the city.
In Kadapa and Anantapuramu, the opposition workers staged protests in front of the RTC bus depots.
The State government suspended the bus services till 1 p.m. in support of the bandh. A holiday was also declared for schools and colleges. — PTI
Welcome programme for BJP's Kairana MP cancelled as farmers protest at venue
A programme to welcome Kairana BJP MP Pradeep Kumar Chaudhary in a village in his constituency has been cancelled following a protest by farmers.
The MP was slated to attend the programme in Mansura village in Shamli district on September 27.
According to Jhinjhana Station House Officer (SHO) Shyamvir Singh, the welcome programme was organised by gram pradhan Afsar Ali. However, several farmers reached the programme venue, burnt banners and raised slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP.
The farmers also staged a dharna at the site.
Security has been tightened in the village and extra police force has been deployed as a precautionary measure, the SHO said. — PTI
Rallies, demonstrations in Jammu to demand repeal of laws
Demonstrations and rallies were held across Jammu district in support of the Bharat Bandh. Led by CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami, hundreds of activists and farmers took out a rally and sat on a dharna on the main road here, leading to disruption of traffic.
Addressing the activists, Mr. Tarigami said these "anti-farmer" laws are bound to "destroy" the agriculture sector and threaten India's food security.
"Besides, these laws will lay the basis for abolishment of the Minimum Support Price [MSP] and mortgage the country's agriculture and markets to the corporate sector", he charged.
Mr. Tarigami said the issue of providing fair price for farmers' produce by ensuring a minimum support price has been a long pending demand of farmers. "On the one hand, the farmers are facing the brunt of increasing prices of diesel, petrol, fertilizers, other agricultural inputs and their daily necessities, and on the other hand, they are becoming poorer as their income is getting reduced," he said. — PTI
‘Need to strengthen worker-peasant unity’
In Jammu, the demonstrations were organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Kissan Tehreek.
Expressing solidarity with striking farmers, Om Prakash, General Secretary of Centre of Indian Trade Unions, said there was a need to strengthen worker-peasant unity to fight the neo-liberal policies and "attack" on the livelihood of farmers and working class.
A similar demonstration was held in Srinagar where farmer leaders Abdul Rashid Pandit, Gh Qadir Hafroo and Abdul Rashid Itoo demanded minimum support price for farm produce.
They also said that the horticulture sector has totally been neglected by the government though a major chunk of the population is dependent on it. The issue of fair price for their produce by ensuring a minimum support price for all crops has been a long pending demand. The government must include the horticulture industry in the MSP, they said. — PTI
Gujarat largely peaceful; highways blocked briefly, protesters held
Gujarat largely remained peaceful during the Bharat Bandh, though there were reports of highways being blocked briefly which affected traffic movement, officials said.
Protesters were detained in some parts of the State, they said.
Traffic movement on a national highway connecting Surat to Mumbai in neighbouring Maharashtra as blocked in Kamrej for some time by protesters, who burnt tyres on the arterial stretch, a police official said.
Later, police detained about 25 people and restored traffic movement on the road, he said.
In districts like Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Morbi and Gandhinagar, heavy rains during the morning affected the plans of groups supporting the bandh, which is in effect from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. — PTI
No major impact of Bharat Bandh in Madhya Pradesh
The Bharat Bandh had no major impact in Madhya Pradesh on Monday as day-to-day and commercial activities went on as usual.
Eyewitnesses said road traffic was normal in the state capital Bhopal and commercial hub Indore.
However, talking to PTI, Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh national president Shivkumar Kakkaji claimed, "The bandh called by farmers against the three laws and for demanding guaranteed MSP for crops has been successful.” He further claimed that the outfit had given relaxation from the shutdown to Bhopal as most of its residents are (private and government sector) employees and not farmers, but the protest was successful in the farming community-dominated small towns of Nimar region, Shahdol, Umaria, Raisen and Silwani. Kakkaji said he was sitting in the "control room" in Bhopal and was getting reports that the shutdown call was "successful", and added that no untoward incident was reported from anywhere.
Peaceful protests were also seen in districts like Vidisha and Satna. — PTI
Indore unaffected
The Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh's Indore unit president Rajkumar Patidar said they had planned to stage protests at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) campuses and other places, but the district administration did not give them permission for it.
The RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) did not support the bandh.
Its Indore-Ujjain unit president Kamal Singh Aanjna said,"We want the issues related to farmers to be resolved through discussions with the government in a peaceful manner." — PTI
Strike almost complete in Kollam
The dawn-to-dusk strike called by Samyukta Kisan Morcha was almost complete in Kollam with nearly all business establishments remaining closed and vehicles keeping off the road. While some private vehicles, including those transporting patients, were seen, few KSRTC buses, taxi services and autorickshaws operated on Monday.
All shops, restaurants and other business outlets, including those functioning in interior regions, downed their shutters. Though stray incidents of protesters blocking the vehicles were reported, the strike was generally peaceful in the district. While vehicles and employees of the health department on duty were not affected, most offices registered very low attendance.
Trade unions from fishing, cashew and plantation sectors took out marches and conducted dharnas in different parts. — Navamy Sudhish
Farmers' demands legitimate, Centre should consider them: Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal requested the Centre to consider the demands of farmers protesting against the three farm laws, saying it will not be "bowing down" before anyone if it does so.
"We are celebrating the birth anniversary of Bhagat Singh. He made the supreme sacrifice for the freedom of the nation. He did not fight for freedom for a day when farmers have to sit on the streets and protest for a year to get their demands considered," he said on the sidelines of an event to launch a tourism app for Delhi at the secretariat.
"The [central] government should consider their demands. Considering farmers' demands will not be like bowing down in front of anyone as farmers are also people of our country," Mr. Kejriwal said. — PTI
Bandh fails to evoke any response in Arunachal Pradesh
Bharat Bandh failed to evoke any response in Arunachal Pradesh, a senior police officer said in Itanagar.
All services, including public transport, banks and commercial establishments, were operating normally in the frontier State, he said.
There have been no protests and life remained normal in the state capital, Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) Superintendent of Police (SP) Jimmy Chiram said.
There was no impact of the bandh in other parts of the State as well, a senior government official said, adding, the State government has taken enough precautions to prevent any untoward incident during the day.
Government offices, private establishments, educational institutions remained open, while banks, post offices worked normally, the SP said. — PTI
Bharat Bandh fails to evoke response in Assam
Assam remained unaffected by the Bharat Bandh as public transport operated as usual, markets were open and offices registered usual attendance.
The Opposition Congress, which supported the bandh, did not organise any protest programme in the State.
In Guwahati, members of the SUCI (Communist) took out a protest rally in the morning, raising slogans against the three farm laws. They were detained by the police near the Ulubari point.
There were no reports of any other protest or demonstration from across the State.
Congress State president Bhupen Bora urged the people to come out on the streets in support of the bandh, but party workers were missing.
The Raijor Dal and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) also extended their support to the bandh. — PTI
YSR Congress, TDP's support to bandh exposes their double standards: BJP MP
BJP MP G.V.L. Narasimha Rao tweeted on Monday that the support extended by YSR Congress (YSRC) and TDP to the Bharat bandh called in protest against the three farm laws, which they endorsed in the Parliament, exposed their double-standards.
He pointed out that the YSRCP and TDP backed the farm laws wherein a slew of reforms were envisaged to improve the lot of farmers. Now, they threw their weight behind the farmers' unions agitating against the said laws, as part of their opportunistic political agenda, the MP observed. - V. Raghavendra
Markets shut, roads blocked as Bharat Bandh affects life in Jharkhand
Vehicular movement was disrupted in several parts of Jharkhand on Monday as supporters of the Bharat Bandh blocked roads and highways.
Shops were shut in state capital Ranchi, while government offices and banks functioned as usual.
In Ramgarh district, protesters blocked the Ranch-Patna highway and Ramgarh-Bokaro highway for some time, disrupting traffic, Superintendent of Police Prabhat Kumar told PTI. - PTI
Bharat Bandh fails to evoke response in Goa
All services, including the public transport, banks, trains and commercial establishments, were operating normally in the coastal state, a senior police official said.
“There have been no protests. Life remained normal,” he said.
There was no impact of the bandh in the State, he said, adding that enough precautions were taken to prevent any untoward incident during the day. - PTI
Farmers take out rallies, hold meetings in many districts of Rajasthan
Farmers took out rallies on the major roads and held meetings. The effect of the shutdown was visible in many districts of the state, including Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Sikar and Nagaur. Mandis and markets were partially closed in the cities and towns of these districts. The agitating farmers blocked the major roads and held meetings.
The bandh also affected train services in the border districts.
In Jaipur, farmers led by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) took out a rally on tractor-trolleys. - PTI
Farmers' call for Bharat Bandh has full support of SP: Akhilesh
Expressing his support to Bharat Bandh, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said the ruling BJP, which is not giving respect to farmers, has lost the moral right to remain in power.
He also claimed that the farmers' movement has started becoming a cause of disintegration within the BJP "Samyukta Kisan Morcha's 'Bharat Bandh' has full support of the SP. The arrogant BJP, which is not giving respect to the 'annadata' [farmers] of the country, has lost the moral right to remain in power. The farmers' movement has started becoming a cause of disintegration within the BJP," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said in a tweet in Hindi with the hashtag #BJP_Khatam (BJP finished). - PTI
RJD, Cong workers block highways, rail in Bihar
Highways, roads and railway tracks were blocked in several places across Bihar on Monday as Bharat Bandh evoked a mixed response in the state.
RJD and Congress workers blocked roads in Patna, Bhojpur, Lakhisarai, Jahanabad, East Champaran, Begusarai, Madhepura and Nalanda districts, affecting the movement of the traffic.
In Patna, RJD workers blocked the road near Buddha Smriti Park, burning tyres in protest against the three farm laws. - PTI
Markets shut, public transport off the roads in Odisha
Markets were shut and public transport stayed off the roads as the Bharat Bandh hit normal life in Odisha on Monday.
Supporters of the shutdown, including members of Congress and the Left parties, picketed at important junctions across the state amid rains, demanding repeal of the three farm laws.
Roads were blocked at different places in Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir, Rayagada and Subarnapur, among others.
The protesters also blocked the railway lines at Bhubaneswar station, affecting train services in the State capital. PTI
Left activists block roads, rail in Bengal
Left activists blocked roads and railway tracks across West Bengal on Monday in support of the Bharat Bandh, while normal life remained largely unaffected in the state.
Markets and shops were opened as usual, while public transport operated almost normally, except for a few hitches.
Government and private offices registered usual attendance. Educational institutions are shut in state the due to the COVID-related restrictions. - PTI
Hartal peaceful, total in Malappuram, Palakkad
All public transport vehicles, including autorickshaws, stayed off the road in most towns in Palakkad and Malappuram. However, private vehicles like cars and bikes were seen crisscrossing. The rains that lashed Malappuram and Palakkad after 10 a.m. forced people remain indoors.
When attendance in government offices was minimal or almost nil in both districts, educational institutions, business establishments and shops remained largely closed. However, some small grocery shops were open in village areas. - Abdul Latheef Naha
Private vehicles on roadin Kozhikode on the hartal day. | Photo Credit: K. Ragesh
AITUC members stage road roko in Puducherry
Members of the AITUC staging a road roko, Shops and establishments remained closed and Police personnel on patrol at the new bus stand, during the nation wide Bharat bandh called by Farmers organisations in Puducherry on Monday, September 27, 2021. - S.S. Kumar
Farmer bodies stage protests in Tamil Nadu
In solidarity with the nationwide strike demanding repeal of Centre's farm laws, farmer bodies and Left parties on Monday staged protests in several parts of Tamil Nadu.
In a protest held here, State Secretaries of the CPI and CPI(M), R. Mutharasan and K. Balakrishnan respectively, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol. Thirumavalavan and functionaries of the ruling DMK affiliated Labour Progressive Federation participated.
They raised slogans demanding the Central government to repeal the three contentious farm laws and not privatise public sector enterprises. - PTI
No impact in Mumbai; shops, transport operating as usual
Commercial establishments and local transport were operating as usual in Mumbai on Monday and the city police also did not deploy an extra security force at key junctions and roads in the wake of the Bharat Bandh called by farmer unions against the Centre's three agri laws, officials said.
Congress workers, holding placards, assembled at some places like Andheri and Jogeshwari and shouted slogans against the farm bills, but other than that there was no impact of the bandh in the city so far. -PTI
Bharat Bandh calls evokes mixed response in Telangana
TSRTC buses, cab services, auto-rickshaw and other transport services were plying on the road as usual. However, the movement of people was curtailed largely due to incessant downpour due to the Gulab cyclone in the Bay of Bengal.
Despite calls given by various trade unions in the city and across the State, all commercial establishments and business houses were operating normally. Political parties and farmers unions who supported the bandh call were also not to be seen enforcing strict compliance with the call. Thanks to the inclement weather, the police also did not deploy much force anticipating a lacklustre turnout. However, several teams deployed around the Assembly in view of the ongoing monsoon session. “We anticipated there won’t be much response to the call in the State, so did not deploy forces,” a senior officer said. - Abhinay Deshpande
Harthal near total in Thrissur
Various political parties and organisations taking out protest rallies and dharna in Thrissur on Monday in support of ongoing farmers agitation. - K.K.Najeeb
Farmers block highways at many places in Punjab
Farmers on Monday blocked highways and other roads at many places in Punjab, where the ruling Congress said it firmly stands by the farm unions' call for Bharat Bandh against the Centre's three agri laws.
In neighbouring Haryana too, there were reports of protesters blocking some highways, including in Sirsa, Fatehabad and Kurukshetra.
There were also reports of farmers squatting on rail tracks at a few places in the two states.
In Punjab, a complete shutdown was observed at several places, including Moga, where farmers blocked the Moga-Ferozepur and Moga-Ludhiana National Highways. - PTI
Members of Bhartya Kisan Union Ugrahan block the railway tracks during farmers' Bharat Bandh strike, at Dhablaan village near Patiala, Monday, September 27, 2021. | Photo Credit: PTI
Normal life affected in Wayanad
Normal life in the district was affected by the dawn to dusk hartal called by the Joint Committee of Trade Unions on Monday in the state to express solidarity with the farmers on agitation against the agricultural reforms introduced by the BJP-led government at the Centre.
Attendance was very low in government offices and financial institutions. Only nine out of the 138 employees turned up for the duty at the Collectorate here, Additional District Magistrate, N.I. Shaju said.
While the KSRTC and private buses as well as taxis were stayed off the road , people were seen riding two wheelers , private vehicles.
The shops and business establishments were closed the district as the merchants associations have also expressed solidarity with the protest. - E.M. Manoj
Heavy rain in A.P. dampens 'Bharat Bandh'
Heavy to very heavy rain since the wee hours of Monday dampened the 'Bharat Bandh' in Andhra Pradesh. Many non-NDA parties have extended support to the nationwide 10-hour strike on Monday called by farmers protesting against the three agri laws under the aegis of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM).
In AP, the YSR Congress government lent support to the bandh and suspended RTC bus services and declared holiday for schools on Monday.
The main opposition Telugu Desam also supported the bandh, along with the Congress and the Left parties. However, some places in the State did witness rallies supporting the bandh. Communist Party of India and CPI(M) cadres took out a rally on the streets of streets in front of closed shops in response to Bharat Bandh call on Monday, September 27, 2021. - PTI
Communist Party of India and CPI(M) cadres took out a rally on the streets of streets in front of closed shops in response to Bharat Bandh call on Monday, September 27, 2021 | Photo Credit: R.V.S. Prasad
Parts of Delhi witness traffic snarls due to road closures, diversions
Parts of the national capital witnessed traffic snarls on Monday morning as police closed some key roads to prevent any untoward incident during the Bharat Bandh called by farm unions against the Centre’s three farm laws.
The Delhi Police has increased security checks at its border points which led to the slowing down of traffic and it informed commuters about road closures and traffic snarls on Twitter.
According to police, roads around the historic Red Fort as well as the dual carriageway at Ghazipur border were closed for traffic. - PTI
Hartal near total in Kochi
The dawn-to-dusk "bandh' on Monday in support of the all-India lockdown under the aegis of the farmers' collective against the Union govermnets' farm laws, backed by various political parties, labour and trade unions, found its echo in Kerala with public transport coming to a standstill even as heavy rains lashed the district from early hours on Monday.
Schools and colleges are closed and no public transport vehicles are visible on highways. There are a few private vehicles on the roads, mostly two-wheelers. Hotels and business establishments are closed. The district has also seen about six to eight mms of rain per hour throughout the day on Monday, causing a big barrier to movement of people and vehicles.
Kerala State Transport Corporation schedules have been cancelled in the district. Sources in KSRTC Aluva depot, one of the busiest in the state, said none of the 37 schedules operated on Monday on account of the lockdown. - K.A. Martin
Hartal near total in Kottayam and Pathanamathitta
The nation-wide general strike called by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha has brought normal life to a halt in both Kotttayam and Pathanamathitta districts.
The public transport system has come to a complete standstill since the morning while the shops, commercial institutions and government offices too remain closed. The Mahatma Gandhi university, Kottayam, has postponed all examinations scheduled for the day.
Meanwhile, a few private vehicles could be spotted on the road. The long-haul services run by the Kerala State Road Transport corporation wound up operation by Sunday midnight. Braving the heavy rains that has lashed the region since Sunday midnight, members of various trade unions took out processions in support of the strike. - U. Hiran
Cadres of Left parties stage protests braving rain in Telangana
Braving intermittent rain, scores of activists of the Left and other Opposition parties came out on the streets in Khammam and elsewhere in the district this morning in support of Bharat Bandh, buttressing farmers’ demand for scrapping of the Centre’s three farm laws.
Members of a host of unions and mass organisations representing farmers, labourers and people from various walks of life joined the protest organised by the Left parties in front of the new bus stand in the district headquarters town on Monday morning. Senior leaders of the CPI (M), the Congress, the CPI and the CPI (ML-New Democracy), the Telangana Rythu Sangham, the CITU, the DYFI, the PYL and a clutch of other mass organisations led the protest demonstrations in the town. - P.Sridhar
Left parties stage protests in front of a bus stand during the Bharat Bandh. | Photo Credit: G.N. Rao
Hartal near-total in Thiruvananthapuram
The dawn-to-dusk hartal backed by Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF) has been near-total in Thiruvananthapuram during the early hours of September 27.
The hartal that was announced in response to a call for a nationwide bandh by Samyukt Kisan Morcha has remained peaceful with no untoward incident being reported from any part of the district thus far.
While public transport vehicles remained off the roads, few taxis, auto-rickshaws and private vehicles could be seen in various parts of the capital city. There have been no reports of their movement being obstructed by hartal supporters. Commercial establishments have remained closed. - Sarath Babu George
Auto, taxis operate normally in Delhi; shops open
Autorickshaws and taxis plied normally and shops were open in the national capital on Monday, with their unions and associations extending only "in-principle support" to the Bharat Bandh called by farmers but deciding not to join the strike.
The auto, taxi unions and traders bodies said their livelihood has already been hit hard due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown so they were not joining any strike. - PTI
No Bharat Bandh in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi
There was no response to the Bharat Bandh in the coastal Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on Monday.
Normal life was as usual with the public transport system operating as usual. The government and private offices, educational institutions and all commercial establishments remained opened.
Meanwhile, Raita, Dalita, Karmika Janapara Chaluvaligala Okkuta has said that it will block the National Highway 75 (Bengaluru-Mangaluru highway) at B C Road for some time in the noon. - K. Raviprasad
Members of farmers associations and Congress workers held protests in Belgavi
Response to the Bharat Bundh called by farmers organisations was lukewarm in Belagavi district. However, members of farmers associations and Congress workers held protests in several places.
Most government and private offices and shops and eateries were open in the morning. NWKRTC buses and private vehicles were running as usual. Schools and colleges remained open. Similar scenes were witnessed in Chikkodi, Gokak, Saundatti, Athani and other towns.
Farmers tried to stop buses from leaving the NWKRTC bus stand in Belagavi in the morning. This delayed departure of some buses. However, police dispersed them after some time. - Rishikesh Bahadur Desai
Operations of trains under Northern Railways impacted
Operations of atleast 25 trains under Northern Railways impacted till now. "More than 20 locations are being blocked in Delhi, Ambala and Firozpur divisions. About 25 trains affected," Northern Railways said. - Yuthika Bhargava
LDF and UDF extend support to Bharat Bandh
The hartal called by trade union affiliated to LDF & UDF - led LDF and the opposition Congress - led UDF to extend support to the nationwide Bharat Bandh of protesting farmers has paralysed regular life in Kozhikode district .
Government and private offices, shops and commercial establishments , banks are remaining closed. Medical stores and milk booths are functioning.
Buses and autorickshaws are off the road. Only a few private vehicles especially two wheelers could be seen on city roads and on national highway.
The hartal which is being observed from 6 a.m. will end at 6 p.m. - Biju Govind
Bharat Bandh has little impact in Bengaluru
Bharat Bandh call given by Samyukta Kisan Morcha, seems to have had little impact on normal life in Bengaluru.
All businesses were open and public transport services, including autorickshaws and cabs, are functioning as usual. Most traders’ bodies and transport associations announced moral support to the bandh call, but refused to close businesses citing losses they have already incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Farmers and Kannada organisations have begun rallies from multiple points around Bengaluru – K.R. Puram, Mysuru Road, Maurya Circle – and are all set to converge at Town Hall by 11 a.m. from where they will proceed to a protest rally at Freedom Park. Police have detained farmer leaders and protestors at different points in Bengaluru, drawing the ire of farmers. - K.V. Aditya Bharadwaj
Various organisation lend support to Bharat Bandh at Town Hall in Bengaluru, September 27, 2021 | Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar
More support for Bharat Bandh from Dharwad, Hubballi
The call for Bharat Bandh opposing and seeking repeal of farm laws has received support from various organisations in Dharwad and Hubballi. These have voluntarily come forward to extend support to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which is leading farmers’ agitation at New Delhi borders for over nine months now.
Addressing presspersons in Dharwad on Saturday, S.R. Hiremath, convenor, Samyukta Horata, Karnataka, a group of various organisations, said that farmers, businessmen, the general public and youth had extended their voluntary support.
Delhi Police tightens security at border points
The Delhi Police has beefed up security in border areas of the national capital in view of the Bharat Bandh called by farmer unions against the Centre's three agri laws on Monday. A senior police officer said adequate security arrangements have been made to maintain the law an order situation and prevent any untoward incident in the national capital during the bandh.
Patrolling has been intensified, extra personnel have been deployed at the pickets especially across the border areas and every vehicle entering the national capital is being thoroughly checked, according to the police. - PTI
UTTAR PRADESH | 10:26 AM
‘Bharat bandh’ today will be historic, says Bharatiya Kisan Union
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) has described the increase in purchase price of sugarcane by the Uttar Pradesh government as a “cruel joke” and said Monday’s ‘Bharat bandh’ would be “historic”. “Yet another promise of the BJP government proved to be just a ‘jumla’,” said BKU national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait.
Describing the ₹25 per quintal hike as a strike “on the interests of farmers”, Mr. Tikait said farmers of western Uttar Pradesh would participate in the bandh called by Samyukta Kisan Morcha with renewed vigour and it would be a “historic” event.
Rahul Gandhi voices support for farmers, slams govt as 'exploitative'
Expressing support for protesting farmers, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the farmers' non-violent 'satyagraha' is still resolute but the "exploitative" government does not like this and that is why a 'Bharat Bandh' has been called.
The Congress has asked its workers, state unit chiefs and heads of frontal organisations to take part in the 'Bharat Bandh' called by farmer unions to protest against the Centre's three agri laws.
Posting rhyming lines in Hindi on Twitter, Mr. Gandhi said, "Kisano ka ahimsak satyagraha aaj bhi akhand hai, lekin shoshankar sarkar ko ye nahi pasand hai, isliye aaj Bharat Bandh hai (Farmers' non-violent satyagraha is resolute even today, but the exploitative government does not like this and that's why it is Bharat Bandh today)." - PTI
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