The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Friday issued guidelines for the September 27 'Bharat Bandh' against the Centre's three farm laws and said it would be peaceful and farmers will ensure that the public faces minimal inconvenience.

In a statement, the SKM said the bandh will start at 6 am and it will remain in force till 4 pm. During this time, central and State Government offices, markets, shops, factories, schools, colleges and other educational institutions will not be allowed to function. Public and private transport will not be allowed to ply on roads. No public functions will be allowed, it said. Only emergency services, including ambulances and fire services, will be allowed to function during the bandh, it added.

"The SKM has asked constituent organisations to appeal to all sections of society to join hands with farmers and publicise the bandh beforehand so that inconvenience to the public may be reduced. "The bandh will be peaceful as well as voluntary and would exempt emergency services. The main banners or themes for the day would be 'Bharat Bandh against Anti-Farmer Modi Government', 'Modi Brings in Mandi Bandh', 'Farmers take up Bharat Bandh' and so on," the statement said.

The SKM, an umbrella body of over 40 farmer unions, said that a "state-level preparatory meeting" will be held in Mumbai on September 20 for further planning regarding the bandh. On the same day, a 'Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat' will be organised in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur, followed by a 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' in Uttarakhand's Roorkee on September 22.

Additionally, the protesting farmers will also host a five-day Kabaddi League starting September 22 at Tikri and Singhu border protest sites."Teams from different States are expected to participate and play for cash rewards," the statement said.       PNS