In India's Punjab, life hit a pause at several places on Monday (Dec 30) as farmers staged a 'bandh' in protest against the central government while demanding a legal guarantee of a minimum support price for their crops.

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Due to the bandh (a general strike), rail and road traffic was crippled, and commercial establishments were forced to shut in many parts of the northern state. As per reports, the agitating farmers staged 'dharnas' (a sit in protest) on roads as part of the bandh, severely affecting commuter traffic. They also blocked railway tracks.

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Life hit a pause at several places in Punjab as farmers staged a 'bandh' against the central government over their demand for a legal guarantee of a minimum support price for their crops.

Also read | Punjab bandh: Indian farmers call to disrupt road, rail traffic on Dec 30

As a precaution, the Indian Railways cancelled more than 200 trains, including Vande Bharat and Shatabdi, and suspended operations of some trains on routes across Punjab.

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Commuters affected

The bandh was observed from 7 am to 4 pm, and it was called over a week ago by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha over the Centre not acting on the farmers' demand for a legal guarantee on MSP.

According to reports, the protesting farmers observed sit-ins at various places, including the Dhareri Jattan Toll Plaza. This affected the traffic movement at the Patiala-Chandigarh National Highway.

In Amritsar, the city where the famous Golden Temple is located, hundreds of farmers assembled at the city's entry point. Talking to reporters, farmers' leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that essential services would be allowed to continue as usual. He also said that anyone travelling to and from the airport, going for a job interview, and essential services would be allowed to operate as usual.

Also read | Punjab farmers call for 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' on January 4

He also said, "All establishments are closed. Punjabis have shown their unity today and they are extending their full support."

"We are seeing a successful bandh. Train services are also completely suspended and no train is entering Punjab," Pandher claimed.

The impact of the bandh was felt in several neighbouring areas of the state, including Ambala. Hundreds of daily commuters travelling from Ambala to Chandigarh, Mohali, Patiala, and other nearby cities in Punjab were impacted due to the shutdown.

Buses had to take alternate routes to travel from Ambala to Chandigarh, as they needed to navigate a section of the national highway that runs through Punjab.

(With inputs from agencies)