PAHGAWARA/NAKODAR/NURMAHAL/PHILLAUR: Shops and commercial establishments remained shut in Phagwara, Phillaur, Nakodar , Shahkot sub divisions and Nurmahal sub- tehsil on Friday in view of a 'Bharat Bandh' called by agitating farmer unions to protest the Centre's three farm laws - the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
The 'Bharat Bandh' has been called by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, an umbreall body of farmer unions.
Farmers started assembling on highways and other key roads from the morning and held protest rallies.
At some places group of protesters squatted on roads to express solidarity with the protesting farmers and burnt effigies of Prime Minister Naridara Modi and other BJP leaders.
Police personnel were deployed in adequate strength to maintain law and order.
Several unions representing government employees, arthiyas (commission agents) and transporters had also extended their support to the farmers' protest.
All major political parties the ruling Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and the Shiromani Akali Dal had also extended their support.
The government has maintained that the new laws will bring farmers better opportunities and usher in new technologies in agriculture.