Bharat Bandh begins

New Delhi: Ahead of Bharat Bandh, protesting farmers at Delhi's Singhu border have appealed for peace, and clarified that no shops and establishments will be forcibly closed on account of the bandh.

Announcing their plans for the Bharat Bandh on Tuesday, farmers' leaders said that they will occupy toll plazas at the borders of Delhi between 11 am and 3 pm. While assuring that emergency services will be allowed during Bharat Bandh, the leaders have also appealed to the farmers to maintain peace and not to enter into any scuffle to enforce the bandh. Farmers' leader Balbir Singh Rajewal demanded the immediate withdrawal of the three farm laws by the Centre.

Meanwhile, the Centre has asked all States and Union Territories to tighten security and ensure that peace and tranquillity is maintained during 'Bharat Bandh'.

In view of the nation-wide bandh, the Haryana Police has issued a comprehensive travel advisory for the information of general public as they may face traffic blockages, while travelling on various roads and highways of the state on December 8, 2020. 

Almost all the districts in the State except Nuh and Narnaul are likely to be impacted by big or small road jams. In addition, there may also be disruptions on various Toll Plazas in the State. The main national highways Delhi-Ambala (NH-44), Delhi-Hisar (NH-9), Delhi-Palwal (NH-19) and Delhi to Rewari (NH-48) may also see some traffic disruptions for a short time.

The peak time of impact is expected to be between 12 pm to 3 pm. The ruling Congress in Chhattisgarh has extended its support to the Bharat Bandh and has appealed to the people to express solidarity with cultivators. "We have appealed to all sections of society that they should stand by the farmers and support their agitation. Bandh will be observed in an aggressive but peaceful and non-violent manner," Shailesh Nitin Trivedi, who heads communication wing of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC), said on Monday.