Tight security at Chandigarh-Mohali border points as Qaumi Insaf Morcha's Punjab Bandh kicks in

Tight security at Chandigarh-Mohali border points as Qaumi Insaf Morcha's Punjab Bandh kicks in The call for the bandh has been given from 7 a.m.

Key points

• While Bhullar is serving a sentence in connection with a 1993 bomb blast case in Delhi, rajoana is a convict in the 1995 assassination of Beant Singh.
• Police personnel stand guard against the backdrop of heightened security at the Chandigarh-Mohali border ahead of a 'Punjab bandh' call, in Chandigarh, on August 21, 2026.
• Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, favouring a 10-day parole for Hawara so that he could meet his ailing mother.
• Besides Hawara, the Morcha has been demanding the release of other 'Bandi Singhs', including Balwant Singh Rajoana and Devinderpal Singh Bhullar.
• Chandigarh Police personnel, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), have been deputed along the barricades put up at the Mohali-Chandigarh border points.

Police personnel stand guard against the backdrop of heightened security at the Chandigarh-Mohali border ahead of a 'Punjab bandh' call, in Chandigarh, on August 21, 2026. Photo Credit: PTI.

Shops and markets remained shut at some places in Punjab on Friday (August 21, 2026) morning while security was tightened at the Chandigarh-Mohali border points after a 'Punjab Bandh' call given by the Qaumi Insaf Morcha to press for the release of 'Bandi Singhs' (Sikh prisoners).

Meanwhile, the call for the bandh has been given from 7 a.m. To 2 p.m. Heavy police deployment has been created at numerous places in the State, including Amritsar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar, to maintain law and order.

Supporters of the Qaumi Insaf Morcha parked their vehicles at a number of places, including Mohali and Patiala, to create blockades, causing inconvenience to the commuters.

Shops at a number of places, including Sangrur and Mohali, remained shut. Nevertheless, medical shops remained open.

While the Panjab University has rescheduled exams scheduled for the day, a federation of private schools has already confirmed a school holiday on Friday (August 21) after the bandh call.

Morcha leaders have sought backing from every section of society, including traders, shopkeepers, commercial establishments, transporters and educational institutions, to produce the bandh a success.

Nevertheless, essential services such as medical emergencies, travel to airports, exams and wedding ceremonies have been allowed, the Morcha leaders stated.

For context, a number of organisations, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit General) and Shiromani Akali Dal Waris Punjab De have extended their backing to the bandh call.

While Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has pressed residents to create it a success, farmers' bodies like Bharti Kisan Union (Rajewal) have additionally come out in backing of the shutdown.

In practice, the Morcha has been demanding parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara. This person is serving a life sentence for the assassination of then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995.

As part of its campaign for the release of Sikh prisoners, the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha has been holding a prolonged protest at Sector 52-53 in Chandigarh and the adjacent YPS Chowk in Mohali since January 7, 2023.

Taken together, the developments around tight security at Chandigarh-Mohali border points as Qaumi Insaf Morcha' s Punjab Bandh point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.