Punjab News Highlights: SC defers hearing on shifting Jagjit Dallewal to hospital amid ongoing negotiations

The farmers called for Punjab Bandh on Monday, urging the government to listen to their list of demands, which include law guaranteeing the purchase of all crops at minimum support price (MSP), a complete debt waiver for farmers and labourers, and the nationwide reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, among other demands.

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Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa on Monday strongly criticised the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government for its alleged mishandling of the ongoing farmers' agitation.

Bajwa, who is Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, accused the AAP government "of betraying Punjab's agrarian community and colluding with the BJP to undermine the state's proud legacy".

Referring to Monday's Punjab bandh, call for which had been given by two farmers' forums spearheading the ongoing protest, Bajwa said that "the farmers of Punjab have once again demonstrated their unity and resolve by making today's bandh a historic success".

"This movement underscores the legitimacy of their demands and the failure of both the AAP-led Punjab government and the BJP-led central government to address their concerns. Farmers are, and will always be, the backbone of our nation," he said in a statement. (PTI)

Severe cold gripped Haryana and Punjab on Monday, with maximum temperatures hovering well below normal limits in the two states.

A thick blanket of fog reduced visibility early in the morning at many places in the two states.

Piercing cold prevailed in Chandigarh during the day with the city recording a maximum temperature of 11.3 degrees Celsius, it's coldest day of the winter season so far, over eight notches below normal, according to the local Met office.

In Haryana, severe cold prevailed during the day at most places.

The maximum temperature in Ambala was recorded at 12 degrees Celsius, Hisar 14.5 degrees, Karnal 13.2 degrees, Rohtak 12.7 degrees, and Gurugram recorded a high of 13 degrees Celsius.

In Punjab, cold wave swept Pathankot, which recorded a high of 11 degrees Celsius while Bathinda registered a maximum of 12.4 degrees. (PTI)

The Supreme Court committee formed under the chairmanship of retired Justice Nawab Singh invited SKM for talks on January 3. The farmer outfit accepted this invitation and talks regarding MSP and other concerning issues will be held during the meeting, confirmed Raminder Singh Patiala, member national coordination committee of SKM while talking to The Indian Express.

11 more trains were cancelled by the divisional railway manager (DRM) Ferozepur office. The total number of affected trains reached 232, out of which cancelled trains are 174 now.

The railway authorities said that the number of trains affected due to the bandh is likely to go up.

While traffic remained disrupted in majority of Ludhiana roads, workers and factory owners faced major disruptions while reaching the factories on Monday. Traders and factory owners said that the bandh is having a negative impact on the economy of Punjab.

"We are not against the farmers but against the mode of protest as all actions of farmers are hitting the industry hard," said Badish Jindal, Convenor of All Industries and Trade Forum.

Sources confirmed that the police force and security has been increased around Khanauri in view of farmers' agitation in the area.

The bandh is expected to continue till 4 pm today, and traffic and railway services are likely to remain affected.

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann is likely to meet farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on the 35th day of his hunger strike.

This comes a day after AAP government's unsuccessful attempt to persuade Dallewal into seeking medical help amid his deteriorating health.

District Amritsar:

Kotla Gujran, Pandher Kalan (rail and road), Wadala, Nangal Panwa Toll Plaza, Kathu Nangal, Jahangir Railway Line, Tahli Sahib Adda, Udhoke Kalan, Boparai, Gaggomahal, Gujarpura, Chamiari, Ajnala Chowk, Vishowa, Ram Tirath, Lopoke, Kakkar, Bachhiwind, Chogawan, Bhilowal, Toll Plaza Shiddan, Rajatal, Bohru, Chabba, Basarke, Bandala, Toll Plaza Mananwala, Nirjanpura (Amritsar Highway), Beas Station, Butala, Mehta Chowk, Khujala Adda.

District Moga:

Shah Bukkhar, Kot Ise Khan, Butter, Nihal Singh Wala, Dharamkot Chowk, Jagraon Main Chowk, Ajitwal, Jalalabad, Dagru, Budhhipura Chowk, Badhni.

District Ferozepur:

Makhu, Talwandi, Arifke, Mallanwala, Basti Tankawala, Guru Har Sahai, Mudki, Ferozshah Toll Plaza.

District Tarn Taran:

Usma Toll Plaza, Mannan Toll Plaza, Tarn Taran City Railway Line, Patti Toll Plaza.

District Kapurthala:

Sultanpur Lodhi, Tashpur, Hamira, Kartarpur, Dhilwan Toll Plaza, Sugar Mill Chowk.

District Ropar:

Nurpur Bedi, Balachaur.

District Mohali:

Dubar Toll Plaza, IISER Chowk.

District Jalandhar:

Lohian, Shahkot, Naitpur, Toll Plaza Shahkot, Phillaur, Mehtpur, Dhanowali, Jalandhar Cantt, Bhogpur, Adampur.

District Hoshiarpur:

Tanda City (two locations), Gardiwala, Dasuya, Mukerian, Khudda, Hoshiarpur City, Pur Hiran, Bulhowal, Mahalpur.

District Gurdaspur:

Pathankot Road, Dhariwal, Babri, Purana Shala, Sri Hargobindpur Road, Fatehgarh Churian, Ghoman, Udhanwal, Sri Hargobindpur Lights Chowk.

District Faridkot:

Tehna Bypass.

District Pathankot:

Madhopur.

District Patiala:

Shambhu Railway Station, Rajpura, Dhneri Toll Plaza, Khanauri Road Arno, Samana Baba Banda Bahadur Chowk, Sirhind Road Hardaspura, Nabha Road Kalyan Toll Plaza, Sangrur Road Mehandpur Mandi, Devi Road Jorian, Bhadason Road Saduwala, Faridkot Road Jaitowala.

District Nawanshahr:

Nawanshahr Bus Stand, Behram Toll.

District Ludhiana:

Ladowal Toll, Mullanpur Dakha, Sudhar, Khanna, Samrala Chowk, Jodhan.

District Bathinda:

Rampura Maur Chowk, Jinda Toll Plaza, Salabatpura.

District Mansa:

Teen Kanni Chowk, Bhikhi, ITI Budhlada.

District Sangrur:

Sangrur Nanakiana Kenchiyan, Longowal Sunam Barnala Road, Channo Patiala Sangrur Road, Badrukhan Patiala Moga Road, Kularan Sunam Sangrur Road, Cheema Sunam Bathinda Road, Dirba Patran Sangrur Road, Chhajli Lehra Gaga Canal Bridge Jakhal Sunam Road, Gurne Kalan Jakhal Ludhiana Railway Line.

District Muktsar:

Hakuvala, Kabranwala. Malaut chowk

District Fazilka:

Jalalabad, Fazilka, Fazilka-Ludhiana Railway Line, Abohar-Hanumangarh road

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's hunger strike entered its 35th day on Monday, on the day of Punjab Bandh, as farmer outfits gather across districts to show their support.

Dallewal's health continues to hang in balance as he refused AAP government's efforts for treatments. This comes after the Supreme Court rapped the Aam Aadmi Party for delaying attempts to provide treatment to Dallewal, issuing a deadline for the government to do so.

Krantikari Kisan Union and BKU Dakaunda (Dhaner), the two farmer outfits that have called for the bandh, said that commuters going to airport, job interviews, marriage functions and other pressing and emergency engagements have been allowed to travel.

Emergency services remain open across all districts while train services have been hit. Traffic disruptions also continue on multiple roads.