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Punjab bandh call given by the ruling combine - Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - on Monday to protest against the recent hike in prices of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas, received mixed response.
Where the ruling alliance claimed that the shutdown was successful in all major cities and towns, including Amritsar, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Patiala, Hoshiarpur, but many major cities including Mohali witnessed a routine affair.
The local police authorities, having made security arrangements across the State to ensure peaceful shutdown, remained on its toes the entire day.
At many places, the shops, markets and other commercial establishments in most cities and towns across Punjab remained closed till 1 pm. The commercial activity was affected in some parts with shops and other commercial establishments remaining shut.
However, road and railway traffic was not affected in any part of the State as the alliance parties had exempted these from the shutdown.
The shutdown was called by the SAD-BJP combine, to protest the failure of the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre in tackling spiraling prices.
“At most of the places, the traders and owners of commercial establishments had closed the shops on their own. Everything remained peaceful,” said a senior Akali leader in Patiala.
Centre had recently announced a hike in diesel and kerosene prices by Rs three and Rs two per litre respectively. The cooking gas price was hiked by Rs 50 per 14.4 kg cylinder.
To oppose the move, it was decided that a high-level delegation of both parties led by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would meet Governor Shivraj Patil on Wednesday to present a memorandum addressed to President Pratibha Patil.
Through memorandum, the delegation will pressurise the UPA Government to roll back the increase in fuel prices. The delegation will include top leaders of both the parties, all Members of Parliament and Legislators.
Where the ruling alliance claimed that the shutdown was successful in all major cities and towns, including Amritsar, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Patiala, Hoshiarpur, but many major cities including Mohali witnessed a routine affair.
The local police authorities, having made security arrangements across the State to ensure peaceful shutdown, remained on its toes the entire day.
At many places, the shops, markets and other commercial establishments in most cities and towns across Punjab remained closed till 1 pm. The commercial activity was affected in some parts with shops and other commercial establishments remaining shut.
However, road and railway traffic was not affected in any part of the State as the alliance parties had exempted these from the shutdown.
The shutdown was called by the SAD-BJP combine, to protest the failure of the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre in tackling spiraling prices.
“At most of the places, the traders and owners of commercial establishments had closed the shops on their own. Everything remained peaceful,” said a senior Akali leader in Patiala.
Centre had recently announced a hike in diesel and kerosene prices by Rs three and Rs two per litre respectively. The cooking gas price was hiked by Rs 50 per 14.4 kg cylinder.
To oppose the move, it was decided that a high-level delegation of both parties led by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would meet Governor Shivraj Patil on Wednesday to present a memorandum addressed to President Pratibha Patil.
Through memorandum, the delegation will pressurise the UPA Government to roll back the increase in fuel prices. The delegation will include top leaders of both the parties, all Members of Parliament and Legislators.
