In Photos: Punjab bandh over release of Sikh prisoners gets mixed response

The seven-hour Punjab bandh call by the Qoumi Insaaf Morcha from 7 am, demanding the release of Sikh prisoners, received a mixed response across the state on Friday morning (Source: Photo by Gurmeet Singh)

Roads saw comparatively light traffic while markets remained closed in several parts of the Malwa region during the bandh (Source: Photo by Gurmeet Singh)

While government offices and most essential services continued to function, members of the Morcha and farmer organisations staged dharnas at several places, including Bathinda, Sangrur, Patiala, Barnala, Faridkot and Moga, to enforce the bandh (Source: Photo by Gurmeet Singh)

On the Barnala-Bathinda National Highway, members of the Krantikari Kisan Union blocked traffic, while they gave way to an ambulance (Source: Photo by Gurmeet Singh)

The protesters were seen guiding commuters to go back as the dharna continued (Source: Photo by Gurmeet Singh)

In Patiala, the city woke up to relatively empty roads and closed markets. Government-owned buses, however, continued to operate till around 9.30 am (Source: Photo by Gurmeet Singh)

The Sangrur bus stand wore a deserted look since morning, while markets in Ludhiana remained partially open. Roads in the Focal Point industrial area were functioning normally, and factories operated as usual (Source: Photo by Gurmeet Singh)

Nearly 7,500 private schools across Punjab are closed on Friday after the Mini Bus Operators Association decided to stay off the roads in support of the bandh (Source: Photo by Gurmeet Singh)

The Qoumi Insaaf Morcha’s call has received support from the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, Krantikari Kisan Union, Kirti Kisan Union, BKU Rajewal, Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, SAD-Punarsurjit, SGPC and several other organisations (Source: Photo by Gurmeet Singh)

Members of the Morcha said emergency services, including ambulances, would not be stopped during the bandh. The Nihang group also forced shopkeepers to close shops in Faridkot and later took out a march demanding release of the Sikh prisoners (Source: Photo by Gurmeet Singh)