CHANDIGARH: The one day Punjab bandh called by the Panthic Committee (Zaffarwal) to protest against the Army deployment evoked a near total response on Dec 14.
The bandh call was supported by Dr Sohan Singh led Panthic Committee, its five associate militant organisations and Akali Dal (Mann).
Most of the shops remained closed in various parts of the state. The supply of milk and vegetables was affected at some places. Tea stalls and wayside dhabas also remained closed at most places. The work in grain markets also remained suspended. The functioning of banks was also affected as the clearing houses remained closed.
The bus services were paralyzed with the buses of the state transport, undertakings off the roads. However services continued to be normal.
No untoward incident was reported from any part of the state. Mr Bhupinder Singh Longia and Mr Sarabjit Singh Sohal, general secretaries of the All India Sikh Students Federation (Manjit) said with overwhelming response to the bandh call, the government should realise that the Sikh struggle could not be crushed by bullets.
In a statement, they said it was the battle for pride and self respect and it was time to understand the feelings of the Sikh youth.
They thanked Punjabis for making the bandh a success.
MOHALIA complete bandh was observed in Mohali in response to the bandh call given by the militants. All the markets, educational Institutions, banks remained closed and transport services remained totally suspended. The industrial area gave a deserted look as all the industrial units were found closed.
Attendance in government offices was reported to be very low.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 21, 1990
