Chandigarh, Jul 15 (IANS): Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, here on Wednesday, urged farmers' unions to put off their planned protests against the Centre's anti-farmer ordinances in view of the pandemic.

Reacting to reports that several unions are planning protests despite the restrictions on gatherings, the Chief Minister urged them not to take confrontationist approach in the current situation, and also as Section 144 was in operation.

"Restraint was the need of the hour", he said, urging them to help the state government in checking Covid-19's spread.

Though the issue of farm ordinances was vital to the state's interests, any physical protest at the moment would harm Punjab, he said and advised the unions to use the social media to express their anger and garner support against the ordinances, which were also against the nation's federal character.

Meanwhile, in a letter to all political parties in the state, the Chief Minister issued a personal appeal not to hold any gatherings in view of the pandemic and the restrictions imposed to contain its spread.