Farmers’ protests in Punjab have disrupted train services, with the cancellation of 51 trains and 91 total trains affected as members of various farmers’ bodies initiated a three-day ‘rail roko’ agitation. Their demands encompass financial assistance to address losses caused by recent floods, a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP), and debt waivers, underscoring the persistent challenges faced by the agricultural sector in India.
Farmers from several farmer bodies, including the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Bharti Kisan Union (Krantikari), BKU (Ekta Azaad), Azaad Kisan Committee Doaba, BKU (Behramke), BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh), and BKU (Chottu Ram), joined the protest.
In Jalandhar, members of the Kisan Majdoor Sangrash Committee (KMSC) and 18 other farmers’ unions blocked railway tracks in Jalandhar Cantonment, leading to the cancellation of several trains, including the Shan-e-Punjab and Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi.
Sukhwinder Singh, state president of KMSC, highlighted their demands, which include a guaranteed 200 days of employment for laborers, a new MSP policy, compensation of ₹50,000 per acre for crop losses due to recent floods in Punjab, mining rights for landowners where sand has accumulated due to floods, strict action against drug smugglers, and the implementation of the Swaminathan report.
Notably, Professor MS Swaminathan, who recently passed away, led the National Commission on Farmers (NCF) and submitted multiple reports between 2004 and 2006 aimed at enhancing the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of farming systems in India.
A total of 51 trains were canceled in the Ferozepur railway division, affecting 91 trains in all, as farmers’ protests led to blockades at 13 railway stations and various railway crossings. This disruption has left thousands of commuters inconvenienced.
Farmers expressed their frustration with the government’s perceived lack of response to their concerns, emphasizing that they had given an ultimatum to the Union government a month ago. With inconclusive talks, they felt compelled to initiate this three-day protest.
In Amritsar, 19 farm organizations participated in the protest, with the Amritsar-Delhi railway track being blocked, further impeding train movement and causing passenger inconvenience.
Farmers are demanding government support for flood-affected states, highlighting the need for assistance and policy changes to address the challenges faced by the agricultural community.
Sources By Agencies
