PremiumPunjab bandh LIVE: In a collaborative effort, the Dalit and Christian groups on 9 August have called for statewide shutdown, aiming to highlight pressing concerns in Manipur. The Christian Brotherhood convened a media briefing at the Jalandhar Press Club and launched the Manipur Insaf Morcha, formally declaring the upcoming Punjab strike, TOI reported. Surjit Thapar, President of Manipur Insaaf Morcha, detailed the strategy, specifying that the state's movement would be paused from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on August 9.
With a concern for potential disruptions and a priority on safeguarding children, the state authorities have opted to keep schools shut today. This measure is intended to avert any undesirable occurrences and uphold the students' safety.
Catch all the LIVE Updates on Punjab bandh here
The transport services in major places across the state remained unaffected as of 11 am.
Protestors blocked Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur road near Rama Mandi, reports have stated
- In Jalandhar, several markets remained shut with representatives of Dalit and Christian communities staging a 'dharna' in the city' Kapurthala chowk. Police were deployed at Rama Mandi and Nakodar chowk, said officials.
-The impact of the Punjab bandh call was also visible in Ferozepur district where shops and markets at several places remained shut.
-In Moga, protesters said they will appeal to shopkeepers to keep their shops closed in protest against the violence in Manipur.
-In Ludhiana, however, markets and other commercial establishments remained open.
-Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana, Varinder Singh Brar said anti-riot squads and vehicles have been deployed at several sensitive points in the city.
Punjab bandh LIVE updates: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi started the no-confidence motion debate from the side of the Opposition in Lok Sabha today. He lashed out at PM Narendra Modi and the BJP government for not speaking anything about the Manipur situation. Gandhi said, "PM Modi did not visit Manipur, because, for him, Manipur is not in India...I am saying Manipur but the truth is there is nothing of Manipur left in Manipur. You have divided Manipur into two parts," Rahul Gandhi said.
BJP MP Smriti Irani lashed out at Rahul Gandhi and Congress party during her speech in Lok Sabha in Parliament today.
Punjab bandh LIVE updates: According to the police, around 100 police officials have been deployed in each zone to maintain law and order during the protest. While speaking to ANI, Amristar SP Harjit Singh assured “We will make sure no violence happens during this protest."
The bandh call comes in the wake of recent events in Manipur, where tensions have been high and the state has been on the boil for the last three months after ethnic clashes broke out between the Meities and Kukis in light of the Manipur High Court asking the state government to consider adding the Meiteis to the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Punjab bandh LIVE updates: Several Christian and Dalit bodies Wednesday held demonstrations at several places including Jalandhar, Ferozepur and Moga as part of their 'Punjab bandh' call against the Manipur violence.
Punjab bandh LIVE updates: The Dalit and Christian groups on 9 August have called for statewide shutdown, aiming to highlight pressing concerns in Manipur.
As per media reports, these parties have extended support to the bandh in Punjab:
Bahujan Samaj Party
Marxist Party of India
Marxist Communist Party of India-United
Diocese of Jalandhar
Amid a call for a bandh and protest by the local SC and Christian communities over the Manipur issue, the Punjab Police has deployed heavy police force in Amritsar to maintain a calm and stable situation, according to the police officials.
According to the police, around 100 police officials have been deployed in each zone to maintain law and order during the protest.
While speaking to ANI, Amristar SP Harjit Singh assured “We will make sure no violence happens during this protest."
Bus and train services in the region were unaffected till 10.30 am. There was no input of any attempt to disrupt the public transport or the highways, HT has reported.
Punjab bandh LIVE updates: The bandh movement is a reaction to the broader and ongoing problem of ethnic turmoil that erupted in Manipur on May 3. The unrest ensued after a 'Tribal Solidarity March,' arranged by hill districts, was held to counter the Meitei community's plea for Scheduled Tribe (ST) classification. With more than 160 fatalities and numerous injuries, the call for a bandh echoes as a potent plea for justice and increased awareness.
Punjab bandh LIVE updates: Surjit Thapar, President of Manipur Insaaf Morcha, detailed the strategy, specifying that the state's movement would be paused from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on August 9.
Punjab bandh live updates: Petrol pumps, local shops will remain operational, however, with an exception for places where the likelihood of unrest is high, Hindustan Times has reported.
Moreover, emergency services like hospitals, banks will run as scheduled.
Punjab bandh LIVE updates: In light of the Dalit and Christian communities' call for a strike in Punjab, the state administration has chosen to shut down all schools on August 9, 2023. Read more here
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