CHANDIGARH: The one-day Punjab bandh called by the Panthic Committee (Manochahal) on June 18 in protest against the recent Behla incident evoked a big response in the state and passed off without any untoward incident.
According to reports received from different areas in the state, the response to the bandh was virtually total in Ludhiana, Sangrur, Ropar, Bhatinda, Mansa and Fatehgarh Sahib districts, while it was partial in other districts.
Functioning of government offices and banks remained by and large normal throughout the state and there was no disruption in train services. Passenger bus services were curtailed but buses plied with heavy escort on the main roads. The bandh, however, affected the functioning of industrial units and transportation of essential items through-out the state,
SANGRUR: All business establishments remained closed in Sangrur, Barnala, Malerkoula, and Ahmedgarh in response to the bandh call,
Government offices, including the Central Government offices, and banks worked as usual. The PRTC buses plied as usual on the main road with security guards, whereas the private buses remained off the road.
BHATINDA: There was partial response to the bandh call.
About 70% of markets were closed, but banks, educational institutions and Government offices functioned as usual. Private bus Services were suspended. However, PRTC and Punjab Roadways buses plied. Bandh was complete in Bhucho Mandi Sangat Rampura Phul and Talwandi Sabo.
AMRITSAR: There was near total bandh in Amritsar city in response to the call given by the Panthic Committee (Manochahal) in protest against the killings of innocent villagers in the Behla encounter on June 9.
The main markets of Karta Sher Singh, Karmon Deori, Katra Jaimal Singh, Katra Ahulwalia, Hall Bazar, Sultanwind Road, Chatiwind Gate and other markets were completely closed.
The banks, insurance companies and government offices were open, but the attendance was negligible.
However, there was complete bandh in Tam Taran Patti, Ajnala, Baba Bakala, Bhikhiwind, Raya Beas and many other parts of the district.
During the early hours of the day buses plied from Amritsar on long distance routes but by the evening, ¢yen that came down to a trickle. However, the buses from Amritsar to villages on the link roads remained completely off the roads the whole day.
ROPAR: A partial bandh was observed in the Ropar district. Most of the shops and business establishments, petrol pumps, cinema houses were closed.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 3, 1992
