Rail and road traffic was crippled and commercial establishments remained shut in many places of the state

Farmers staged 'dharnas' on several roads as part of their bandh call, throwing commuter traffic out of gear

A call for a shutdown was given over a week ago by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha over the Centre not acting on the farmers' demand for a legal guarantee for the MSP

Farmers observed a sit-in at Dhareri Jattan Toll Plaza which affected vehicular movement on the Patiala-Chandigarh National Highway

At Amritsar's Golden Gate, scores of farmers started to assemble near the city's entry point

Dharnas were staged in Bathinda's Rampura Phul

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told reporters in Amritsar that emergency and other essential services would be allowed to operate

He said anyone travelling to the airport to catch a flight anyone going to attend a job interview, or anyone needing to attend a wedding, will be allowed

"All establishments are closed. Punjabis have shown their unity today and they are extending full support," Pandher claimed