# Protest Demand for Sikh Prisoners Disrupts Bus Services in Una as HRTC Suspends Inter-State Routes

> Following a strike call in Punjab until 2 PM, Himachal Road Transport Corporation suspended inter-state bus operations, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at Una ISBT.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Himachal Pradesh · **Published:** 2026-08-21 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/himachal-pradesh/kaumi-insaaf-morcha-ke-punjab-bnda-se-una-men-thama-hrtc-bason-ka-pahiya-yatri-pareshana-19685 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Punjab Bandh, HRTC, Una ISBT, Kaumi Insaaf Morcha, Himachal Transport, Bus Service Suspended

A regional shutdown called in Punjab on Friday by the Kaumi Insaaf Morcha, demanding the release of Sikh prisoners lodged in various jails, created significant transportation disruptions in neighboring Himachal Pradesh. In response to potential security risks along border routes, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) suspended all bus services operating from Himachal Pradesh into Punjab until 2:00 PM. This decision severely impacted inter-state transit lines, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded at key bus stands, most notably at the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) located in the Una district headquarters.

## Widespread Travel Disruptions and Confusion at Una ISBT
The impact of the shutdown became visible around 10:00 AM on Friday morning as commuters arrived at Una ISBT to find long-distance services halted. Travelers intending to reach major destinations such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Nalagarh, and several parts of Haryana were forced to wait for hours without clear departure schedules. Although the protest call was officially scheduled to end at 2:00 PM, uncertainty among passengers continued to escalate. HRTC management indicated that bus dispatches after 2:00 PM would strictly depend on a real-time assessment of law and order conditions within Punjab, leaving stranded commuters anxious about whether they could complete their journeys later in the day.

## Passengers Recount Inconvenience and Lack of Updates
Passengers waiting at the terminal expressed deep concern over the lack of official information regarding bus movements. Poonam Sharma, a traveler heading to Pinjore in Haryana with her family, explained that she had been waiting at the bus stand for nearly four hours. She pointed out that terminal officials were unable to provide any concrete confirmation on whether bus services would actually resume post-2:00 PM. Meanwhile, Sunil Kumar and Arun Kumar, residents of Kangra traveling to Nalagarh, reported being stuck at the bus stand for an extended period with no alternative transport options available to reach their destination, emphasizing the severe inconvenience caused by the unexpected route suspensions.

## HRTC Response and Route Suspension Details
Providing an official update on the situation, Sandeep Rana, Station In-charge for the Himachal Road Transport Corporation, confirmed that out-of-state bus departures were suspended until 2:00 PM due to the ongoing strike in Punjab. He stressed that even after the 2:00 PM deadline passed, decisions to send buses into Punjab would be taken only after inspecting ground conditions to ensure passenger safety. Rana added that the bandh called by Kaumi Insaaf Morcha until 2:00 PM had a widespread impact across border regions, forcing HRTC to temporarily suspend several routine bus schedules and adjust its operational plans accordingly.

## What this means for you
**What this news means for commuters:**

- **For Inter-State Travelers:** Passengers planning road journeys through Punjab towards Delhi, Chandigarh, and Haryana face severe delays and schedule uncertainty during border shutdowns.
- **In Una and Himachal Pradesh:** Local commuters reliant on HRTC services out of Una ISBT experienced hours of waiting as inter-state bus departures were held back for safety reviews.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Which organization called the Punjab shutdown and for what reason?
The shutdown was called by Kaumi Insaaf Morcha until 2:00 PM on Friday to demand the release of Sikh prisoners incarcerated in jails.

### 2. What action did the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) take?
HRTC suspended all out-of-state bus operations bound for Punjab until 2:00 PM as a safety precaution.

### 3. Which routes saw the maximum passenger disruption at Una ISBT?
Passengers traveling towards Delhi, Chandigarh, Nalagarh, and various destinations in Haryana faced major delays due to suspended bus services.

### 4. Why were bus services not immediately resumed right after 2:00 PM?
According to HRTC management and Station In-charge Sandeep Rana, dispatches post-2:00 PM depended on evaluating the actual ground situation in Punjab.

### 5. How long were commuters stranded at the Una bus stand?
Several passengers, including Pinjore-bound Poonam Sharma, were stranded at the bus stand for nearly four hours or more starting from 10:00 AM.

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