The state witnessed a near total shutdown on Friday as the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha’s Punjab bandh call from 7 am to 2 pm resonated across districts.Public transport was suspended, private vehicles were stranded and markets wore a deserted look as panthic organisations and farmer unions joined the protest demanding the release of Sikh prisoners, referred to as “Bandi Singhs”.Heavy police deployment was seen in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Patiala, Bathinda and Jalandhar to maintain law and order. While the bandh remained largely peaceful, commuters bore the brunt of road blockades and traffic diversions.Almost all educational institutes, commercial establishments and transport services remained affected in Jalandhar. All private and aided educational institutes remained shut whereas government schools recorded thin attendance.The highways connecting the city to Amritsar, Ludhiana, Pathankot and Kapurthala also remained blocked with supporters of the morcha laying siege to them. Jalandhar City and Rural. Life came to a standstill in Amritsar as well, with shops, schools and public transport staying shut. Members of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha and farmer unions held motorcycle rallies across the city, urging traders to down shutters. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee also closed its offices and institutions in solidarity. The police detained a few Sikh activists, including Ranjit Singh Damdami Taksal and seven others, though they were later released.The response was more mixed in Patiala in the morning, with several shops in residential and outer areas remaining open. However, by noon, most markets were shut as Morcha supporters appealed to traders. Ropar too saw a lukewarm response initially, with markets functioning normally in the morning. However, Nihang Sikhs later moved through towns like Nangal, Anandpur Sahib and Ropar, appealing to traders to shut shops. By mid-morning, shutters were down across several markets. Protesters blocked the Chandigarh-Manali highway near Bhunga Sahib and NH 503 at Anandpur Sahib, leading to long traffic jams.The usually bustling markets in Ludhiana, including Chaura Bazar and Ghumar Mandi, wore a deserted look. Faridkot and Moga, meanwhile, also observed near-total shutdowns.Bathinda presented a striking picture of communal harmony as a Hindu man joined Sikh protesters outside the bus stand, holding a placard demanding the release of Bandi Singhs. The bandh also received strong support across Mansa, Barnala and Muktsar districts. Roads were blocked, while prayers held at protest sites. In Mohali, protesters blocked the Airport Road, forcing traffic diversions.(With inputs by Deepkamal Kaur, Lalit Mohan, Kulwinder Sandhu, Archit Watts, Balwant Garg, Shivani Bhakoo and Charanjit Teja)