Punjab Sees Partial Shutdown Till 2 PM Over Sikh Inmates' Release

A partial statewide shutdown was observed in Punjab on Friday till 2 PM, as several Sikh religious and political organisations demanded the release of Sikh inmates who have completed their prison terms. The shutdown call was given by various organisations, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), and Waris Punjab De, among others.

The shutdown was partial in the morning, with some markets and businesses remaining open. However, the main bazaar in Amritsar was shut, and there were reports of traffic congestion on the Mohali airport road and Sani Enclave Chowk. The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, which led the shutdown, had called for sit-in protests on rail tracks, highways, and toll collection centres, and had urged shopkeepers and traders to support the call.

The shutdown comes in the wake of the use of security forces on the Mohali border on August 15 to disperse demonstrators who were forcefully making their way to Chandigarh to lodge their protest outside the residence of the Governor. The demonstrators were demanding the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences, including Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is serving a life sentence in a case linked to the 1995 assassination of Chief Minister Beant Singh.

The organisers of the shutdown had appealed to protesters to maintain peace and not to hamper emergency medical services. Students who were travelling for exams, and those travelling for weddings, funerals, or going abroad were exempted from the shutdown. Activists of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha were deployed on state and national highways to stop traffic movement.

The shutdown was largely peaceful, with no reports of violence. A senior police official told IANS that the situation was under control, and that there were no reports of any untoward incidents. The shutdown was lifted at 2 PM, and normalcy was restored in the state.

The demand for the release of Sikh inmates who have completed their prison terms has been a long-standing one, with various Sikh organisations and individuals calling for their release. The issue has been a sensitive one, with many in the Sikh community feeling that the inmates have been unfairly detained.

The Punjab government has been under pressure to resolve the issue, with many calling for the release of the inmates. The shutdown on Friday was a culmination of the growing unrest and frustration among the Sikh community, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the demands.

The shutdown has also highlighted the need for the government to address the grievances of the Sikh community, and to work towards finding a solution to the issue. The situation in Punjab remains tense, and it is hoped that the government will take steps to resolve the issue and restore peace in the state.

In conclusion, the partial statewide shutdown in Punjab on Friday was a result of the growing unrest and frustration among the Sikh community over the detention of inmates who have completed their prison terms. The shutdown was largely peaceful, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the demands. The issue is a sensitive one, and it is hoped that the government will take steps to resolve it and restore peace in the state.