Shops and markets remained closed, while traffic was disrupted at several places across Punjab on Friday as the Qaumi Insaf Morcha observed a bandh demanding the release of ‘Bandi Singhs’ (Sikh prisoners), reported PTI.  Police were deployed in large numbers across the state, including Amritsar, Ludhiana, Mohali and Jalandhar, to maintain law and order during the shutdown. The bandh was observed from 7 am to 2 pm. The term ‘Bandi Singhs’ refers to Sikh prisoners convicted for their involvement in militancy during the Punjab insurgency of the 1990s. Road blockades disrupt traffic across Punjab Commuters, including office-goers and travellers, bore the brunt of the bandh as they were caught in road blockades by Qaumi Insaf Morcha supporters and various farmers’ bodies at several places, including Patiala, Mohali and Jalandhar. According to PTI, at some places, commuters were seen requesting protesters to allow them to proceed towards their destinations as tractor-trolleys and other vehicles were parked in the middle of roads, including state and national highways. Morcha leaders said essential services, including medical emergencies, travel to …