• 12:35 PM, Aug 21 2026

  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.
• 12:23 PM, Aug 21 2026

  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.
• 12:20 PM, Aug 21 2026

  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.
• 12:14 PM, Aug 21 2026

  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.

• 11:35 AM, Aug 21 2026

  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.
• 11:33 AM, Aug 21 2026

  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.

• 11:31 AM, Aug 21 2026

Punjab bandh LIVE UPDATES: The Punjab bandh called by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha (QIM) began on Friday with markets and several private institutions remaining closed across the state. The shutdown has been called over demands for the release of Sikh prisoners and parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara, who was convicted in the assassination case of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.

The bandh has so far remained peaceful, with no major untoward incident reported from any part of Punjab. Police have been deployed in large numbers at sensitive locations to maintain law and order and keep a close watch on the situation.

Markets closed, private schools shut

The bandh has had a visible impact in several districts, with markets and commercial establishments remaining closed. Private schools have also decided to keep their campuses shut in view of the call for a statewide shutdown.

Government schools, however, opened as per their regular schedule on Friday morning.

In Mohali and Chandigarh, many shopkeepers and business owners kept their establishments closed at least until the afternoon amid concerns over the prevailing situation.

Highway traffic affected in Mohali

The impact of the bandh was also seen on road transport. A highway in Mohali was blocked, while bus services in several areas were affected due to the shutdown.

Despite the protests and road restrictions at some locations, there was no widespread disruption to traffic across Punjab. Highways and roads in several urban areas continued to see movement.

Train services running normally

Railway services remained largely unaffected. Trains were running according to schedule, and there was no major disruption reported on railway tracks so far.

Authorities have maintained a strong security presence at important railway stations and other sensitive points to prevent any untoward incident.

Police say situation under control

Mohit Aggarwal, Superintendent of Police (SP), Patiala, said there was no reason for people to panic and that the bandh had remained peaceful.

Security arrangements have been strengthened across the state as authorities continue to monitor developments throughout the day.

The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha is seeking the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences, along with parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara. The bandh is being observed as part of the group's campaign to press the government on these demands

- PTC NEWS

Join Whatsapp Channel