Aug 21, 2026 01:18 PM

Patiala bandh sees mixed response

Most shops and business establishments in major markets of Patiala city remained closed, while some shops in residential and interior areas continued to operate.

Several shopkeepers and traders voluntarily downed their shutters in support of the Punjab bandh. Market activity remained subdued during the morning.

Most private educational institutions remained shut, although some schools continued to function.

Representatives of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha and supporting organisations visited markets and appealed to shopkeepers to support the bandh. Some shops later reopened.

Protesters gathered at Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib, where they held a meeting and raised demands for the release of the ‘Bandi Singhs’.

Supporters of Bharatiya Kisan Unions blocked the road at the Dhadheri Jattan toll plaza on the Patiala-Chandigarh road, disrupting vehicular movement.

The protesters later moved to other locations and reportedly stopped traffic at some points in the district.

Police and district administration maintained security arrangements at key locations and monitored the situation.

Despite disruptions at some places, the overall situation in Patiala remained normal at the time of filing the report.

Aug 21, 2026 01:16 PM

Faridkot and Moga update

Commercial establishments across urban and rural areas of both districts remained closed during the bandh.

Vehicular movement on roads remained exceptionally thin, with fewer vehicles seen on major routes.

Most petrol pumps and fuel stations also remained shut in support of the bandh.

The bandh had a visible impact on daily life and business activity across Faridkot and Moga.

Aug 21, 2026 01:04 PM

Tension at Amritsar’s Golden Gate as police detain Sikh leaders

Tension prevailed at Amritsar’s Golden Gate on Friday as cops and protesters engaged in a confrontation during the Punjab bandh called by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha. A large police contingent was deployed at the Golden Gate as protesters attempted to block traffic as part of the bandh.

The police detained around 15 Sikh leaders who were attempting to stop traffic, including four women. The protesters were taken into custody and transported away in police buses.

The detention led to heated exchanges between the protesters and police, with the situation turning tense at the spot.

The Sikh leaders told the police that the bandh had been announced only until 2 pm and that traffic would be restored normally after the deadline.

However, the police moved to clear the area and forcibly placed several protesters into buses before taking them away.

The protesters raised slogans against the state government during the confrontation and criticised the police action.

They also warned that the movement would be intensified in the coming days.

The protesters reiterated that their struggle for the release of Bandi Singhs would continue.

They announced that further programmes and intensified protests would be planned in the coming days if their demands were not addressed.

Aug 21, 2026 12:35 PM

Commuters suffer at Azizpur and Dhareri Jattan toll plazas

• Farmer unions joined the protest and blocked the Azizpur and Dhareri Jattan toll plazas, causing inconvenience to commuters.
• Protesters blocked Airport Road, resulting in traffic diversions. Cab services between Mohali and Chandigarh have been suspended until the afternoon.
• Markets remained closed during the bandh in Ludhiana. Chaura Bazar and Ghumar Mandi wore a deserted look as shops stayed shut.
• In Patiala, protesters blocked the roundabout outside the interstate bus terminus. A heated argument was also reported at the protest site.
• In Sangrur, protesters gathered outside a store that was open during the bandh. Following an argument, the shop was later closed.
• Members of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha (QIM) and farmer unions held motorcycle rallies across Amritsar, appealing to people to support the bandh and urging business establishments to remain closed.

Aug 21, 2026 12:23 PM

Jalandhar Punjab Bandh: Key Points

• Jalandhar witnessed an almost complete bandh on Friday following the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha’s call demanding the release of Bandi Singhs.
• Roads connecting Jalandhar with Amritsar, Ludhiana, Pathankot and Kapurthala were blocked.
• Qaumi Insaaf Morcha supporters staged road blockades and sat on the highways.
• All educational institutions in Jalandhar remained closed.
• Most market associations announced that shops and commercial establishments would remain shut until 2 pm, when the bandh was scheduled to end.

Aug 21, 2026 12:20 PM

Punjab bandh Ferozepur: Key points

• The Punjab bandh called by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha received a strong response in Ferozepur on Friday.
• Major markets in both Ferozepur city and the cantonment area remained closed.
• Private schools and several private establishments also remained shut.
• A few establishments, including some banks that opened in the morning, were later closed after protesters reached the spot.
• Protesters blocked Octroi No. 7, a key exit from Ferozepur towards Zira and Ludhiana.
• The blockade disrupted traffic and left several commuters stranded.
• Demonstrators raised slogans against the Punjab government while demanding the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences.

Aug 21, 2026 12:14 PM

AAP MLA’s bus stopped in Faridkot

During the Punjab bandh, protesters stopped a New Deep Company bus belonging to AAP MLA Dimpy Dhillon in Faridkot. Police reached the spot after the bus was stopped and escorted it back to the bus stand. The bus was subsequently prevented from resuming its journey.

Aug 21, 2026 11:35 AM

Punjab Bandh: Key Updates

• The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha has called a Punjab bandh from 7 am to 2 pm on August 21. Bus services have been severely affected, while all private schools have been closed for the day.
• Railway operations have remained normal so far, with no major impact reported on train movement.
• The Kharar-Chandigarh highway has been blocked as part of the bandh.
• The blockade led to arguments between commuters heading to work and members of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha.
• Security personnel are monitoring the situation at the site.
• In Patiala, QIM supporters went around asking shopkeepers who had kept their establishments open to shut them.
• The move created tension in the area, following which cops reached the spot to prevent the situation from escalating.
• The bandh has received a mixed response in Jalandhar, Pathankot and Ludhiana.
• While several markets have remained completely closed, shops in some areas continue to operate as usual.
• Meanwhile, the BJP's state office in Chandigarh reportedly received a bomb threat via email.
• The email allegedly mentioned the Punjab bandh and threatened bomb blasts in cities where establishments remained open during the shutdown.
• Following the threat, security agencies were alerted and an investigation was launched.

Aug 21, 2026 11:33 AM

In Mohali, a young man tried to force his motorcycle through the protest to head towards Chandigarh. Nihangs stopped him and asked him to park his bike on the side and join the protest.

Aug 21, 2026 11:31 AM