The Punjab bandh called after the killing of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota disrupted transport, education and commerce across the Malwa region on Thursday, with markets shut, private schools and colleges closed, and protesters blocking highways and internal roads.
The Anti-Parminder Singh Murder Action Committee had called the shutdown from 6am to 5pm on October 15 over Jhota’s killing in Mansa on October 13. The Times of India reported that the bandh received widespread support in several towns, while very few buses operated on some routes.
Road blockades were reported at multiple locations in Bathinda district, including the Bathinda-Zirakpur national highway at Rampura Phool. Protesters also blocked stretches of the Barnala-Mansa-Sirsa highway and internal roads. Farmers’ groups organised bike rallies and joined the road protests, adding to disruption for commuters and freight movement.
The protest at the Mansa intersection on the Barnala-Mansa-Sirsa highway continued for a third day. The site was inundated after heavy rain late Wednesday night and early Thursday, but the water was drained with the administration’s assistance before protesters reassembled, according to the report.
The shutdown also exposed the operational consequences of a bandh that affects several transport links at once. With highways and local roads blocked and bus services reduced, residents faced difficulty travelling between towns. The closure of markets affected traders and customers, while the shutdown of schools and colleges disrupted regular educational activity across parts of the region.
The Times of India reported that police stopped protesters from blocking highways at some locations and that altercations were reported in certain areas. These incidents placed the administration in the position of managing both the demand for public protest and the need to keep major transport corridors open.
Mansa remained shut for the third consecutive day. Shops had closed on Tuesday after Jhota’s killing and stayed closed on Wednesday as protesters gathered during the demolition of the shop and house of accused Ashwani Kumar. Traders again downed shutters on Thursday in response to the bandh call.
The protest received backing from the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, Akali Dal Punar Surjit and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar). Several farmer organisations, including the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Dakaunda), Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) and Bharatiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal), also supported the shutdown. Youth and employee associations extended their support as well.
In Barnala, protesters had heated exchanges over the tearing of flex banners carrying photographs of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The reported tensions and highway blockades added to the administrative challenge of maintaining public order while responding to demands for justice.
The bandh was scheduled to end at 5pm on October 15. The continuing protest at Mansa and the administration’s handling of road blockades remained the immediate developments to monitor.
