Mohali: The district and adjoining areas wore a deserted look as markets remained closed in response to the bandh call given by the Quami Insaaf Morcha on Friday.Protesters blocked major roads, toll plazas and internal crossings, disrupting normal traffic movement. Commercial establishments in Mohali, Kharar, Nayagaon, Zirakpur and Derabassi remained shut. Morcha activists, including Nihangs, were deployed at several locations to enforce the shutdown and prevent vehicular movement.The administration said the bandh remained peaceful and that the road blockades were removed around 2pm. Deputy commissioner Komal Mittal said, “No reports of any unruly incidents or violence have been reported during the bandh call. It was peaceful.”Protesters also closed the Azizpur toll plaza on the Zirakpur-Patiala highway, disrupting traffic on the key route connecting Mohali with Patiala and adjoining areas. Kharar-Mohali and Kurali-Mohali highways were also blocked, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded on both sides.Traffic movement in Mohali was affected as activists blocked several internal crossings. Long queues of vehicles were witnessed at Singh Shaheedan gurdwara, Dolphin Crossing, Phase 11 and other major junctions.At some locations, even police vehicles were stopped at barricades. Nihang activists told police personnel that they were enforcing the bandh as part of their duty and refused to allow vehicles to pass.A DSP-rank officer was seen pleading with the activists with folded hands to allow vehicles, particularly emergency and official vehicles, to pass through. The situation highlighted the difficulties faced by commuters and emergency services during the road blockades.Closure of major roads and crossings caused considerable inconvenience to residents, office-goers, traders and passengers. Public transport services were also affected, forcing many commuters to seek alternative means of transport or abandon their journeys.The Quami Insaaf Morcha issued the bandh call as part of its ongoing agitation over demands concerning the release of Sikh prisoners. Morcha activists said the shutdown was aimed at drawing the govt’s attention to their demands and pressing it to take action on the issues raised by the organisation.Police personnel were deployed at sensitive locations and along major roads to maintain law and order and regulate traffic. However, the widespread road closures resulted in congestion at several entry and exit points of Mohali, particularly on the approaches from Kharar, Kurali and Zirakpur.BOX: Stuck at Mohali bordersCommuters faced severe hardship after being stranded at district borders as several toll plazas and major road crossings were closed by protesters. Long queues of vehicles could be seen on both sides of the barricades, while state transport buses were seen parked near closed toll plazas.With buses unable to proceed, several passengers were forced to cross the toll plazas on foot. Some commuters hired e-rickshaws and other local transport to reach nearby towns and continue their journeys.One of the worst traffic bottlenecks was witnessed on the Kharar flyover, where vehicles remained stuck for long periods. The disruption was so severe that even ambulances were caught in the congestion, highlighting the difficulties faced by emergency vehicles during the bandh.Closure of the Kharar-Mohali, Kurali-Mohali and Zirakpur-Patiala routes had a cascade effect on traffic entering and leaving Mohali. Commuters were forced to take lengthy diversions, while some had to abandon their journeys altogether.
