Mahilpur shows strong support for Punjab shutdown; shopkeepers cooperate fully

Hoshiarpur/ Daljeet Ajnoha/August 21

: The call for a Punjab shutdown by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha received overwhelming support today in Mahilpur and surrounding areas, with shopkeepers and members of various social and political groups joining the move. Supporters included leaders from Akali Dal Waris Punjab such as Makhan Singh Kothi and jathedar Baba Nagar Singh Tutomajara, veteran Shaheeda Taran Dal Harian Bellan, farmer leaders Talwinder Singh Heer and Iqbal Singh Khera, and representatives from Shiromani Akali Dal.

Markets and private schools in Mahilpur remained closed during the shutdown, although chemists, doctors’ clinics, milk dairies and government offices continued to operate. Organisers and leaders from several religious, political and social organisations said the detenues (referred to as "bandi singhs") are still incarcerated despite having served their sentences, and described their conditions in jail as "hellish." They criticised successive governments for showing the same approach on the issue of releasing these prisoners.

The protesters demanded the immediate release of jailed individuals including Jathedar Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, Bhai Paramjeet Singh Bhiora, Bhai Jagtar Singh Tara, Jagtar Singh Jaggi Johal and others on parole, and urged prompt resolution of the long-pending release cases through dialogue.

Speakers at the event included Baba Amanveer Singh Chamblan, Tarlochan Singh Sakruli, Gurjinder Singh Sarhala, Jaspal Singh Khanpur, Gurminder Singh Bharta, Jasvir Singh Bhatti, Rampal Singh Lali Bharta, Narendra Singh Boota, Jarnail Singh Nadalon, Ranjodh Singh Nadalon, Amarjeet Singh Raja, Comrade Mahinder Singh Kharar, Goldy Rana, Harpreet Singh Marwaha, Dr Kulwant Singh Chabbewal, Gurinder Singh Bains, Kuldeep Singh, Inderpal Singh Mehgrowal, Joginder Singh Kaharpar, Makhan Singh , Khushwant Singh Bains, Ginny Bharta, Mani Bihala, Nirmal Singh Sarangwal, Paraminder Singh Buro barian, Jasvir Singh Sheera, Lakhveer Singh Dansiwal, Baba Dharam Singh, Baba Varinder Singh Jandoli, Baba Harmanveer Singh Honey, Gurdev Singh Manolian, Jasveer Singh, Jarnail Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Gagandeep Singh, Nirmal Singh Hakumtpur, Paramjeet Singh Meghowal, Jasvinder Singh Haveli, Sukhvinder Singh Sukha, Gurmukh Singh Sodhi, Tarsem Singh Jassowal, Harjeet Singh, Paramjeet Singh Paddi Sura Singh, Dilbag Singh, Harjinder Singh Fatehpur among other local rights‑seeking activists.