Ludhiana, Oct. 16 -- The Punjab bandh observed in protest against the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa affected attendance at government schools in Ludhiana district on Thursday, with head teachers reporting that only around half of the students turned up. A primary school in New Subhash Nagar recorded zero attendance.

At the New Subhash Nagar school, the impact was particularly evident during the second shift, when primary classes are held after noon. Sukhwinder Singh, the school's head teacher, said senior classes operated in the first shift until noon, but a few protesters arrived and questioned why the school was open.

"After 12 pm, the primary classes run in the building, but none of the students arrived....