Bharat bandh: Doaba witnesses complete shutdown, Amritsar-Jalandhar highway blocked

Punjab’s Dalit-dominated Doaba region witnessed complete shutdown on Monday following a ‘Bharat bandh’ call in protest against alleged “dilution” of SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Over 35% population in the Doaba region belongs to the Dalit community.

Across Jalandhar, protesters have gathered on most major rotaries and have blocked roads. In Subhanpur Kapurthala, protesters blocked the Jalandhar-Amritsar national highway, bringing traffic to a complete halt. Protestors also blocked the Panda bypass in Hoshiarpur.

Jalandhar bus stand wearing a deserted look on Monday. (Pardeep Pandit/HT )

The situation, however, is under control and protesters have been holding peaceful protests amid anti-BJP and anti-Modi sloganeering in Jalandhar, Phagwara, Hoshiarpur, Goraya and Kapurthala.

Protesters were seen forcing owners to close shops. In Kapurthala, some violence was witnessed as protesters vandalised motorcycles stationed outside a pizza joint. Police warned protesters in Hoshiarpur brandishing swords. Jalandhar commissioner Praveen Kumar Singh said the situation was under control. Meanwhile, all public transportation services and railway services have shut down. In Nawashahr, protesters have blocked the Chandigarh highway.