CHANDIGARH, Punjab (November 2, 2014)—Punjab Bandh (shutdown) call given by a faction of All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) on the 30th anniversary of 1984 Sikh genocide, evoked a positive response, with the shutdown being observed in a number of cities across the State. Activists of Sikh organizations blocked trains since early morning for five hours. In addition, they jammed traffic on roads while demonstrating against the barbaric atrocities committed by Government sponsored mobs against the Sikhs in Delhi, Kanpur and other cities across India.
AISSF led by Bhai Karnail Singh Peermohammad, along with USA based ‘Sikhs For Justice’, had given a call for state-wide shutdown as a protest against denial of justice in cases of mass killings of Sikhs across India.
As per our observers, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Phagwara, Sultanpur Lodhi, Tarn Taran, Jandiala Guru, Ludhiana and Ajnala were completely shutdown, whereas Patiala, Bathinda, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Sri Anandpur Sahib remained closed partially.
Various Sikh organizations and eminent personalities supported the shutdown call. Some pro-Badal organizations including Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) also backed the call, in addition to the United Sikh Movement led by Bhai Mohkam Singh.
Activists of SSF (M) staged a protest on rail tracks near Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib in Ludhiana for around five hours in the morning, blocking the trains including Shatabadi Express, Shan-e-Punjab, Katiyar Express and Jansewa Express. In Amritsar, trains were also blocked by Sikh protesters led by the federation.
Punjab Police Arresting Bibi Jagdish Kaur
The Punjab Government played a major role in defusing the shutdown impact. Bhai Karnail Singh Peer Mohammed was picked up earlier during the day, along with Bibi Jagdish Kaur, a survivor of 1984 Sikh genocide.
Police personnel were deployed in large number across the state to prevent untoward situation. Representatives of the Muslim community also contributed in the protest march to express solidarity with their Sikh brethren.