Farmers in Punjab, India, have commenced a three-day ‘Rail Roko’ (rail blockade) agitation, impacting train services in the Firozpur division. Members of various farmers’ bodies are participating in this protest against the Union government’s policies. Here are the key developments:
Train Services Affected: The ‘Rail Roko’ agitation has disrupted the services of 18 trains in the Firozpur division. Out of these, 12 trains originating from and arriving in the division have been canceled, while the remaining long-route trains have been diverted, according to a railway official from the Firozpur division.
Protest Duration: The farmers’ agitation, led by the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, began on Thursday morning and is planned to continue until September 30.
Multiple Locations: The ‘rail roko’ protests are taking place at 12 different locations in Punjab, including Moga, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Tarn Taran, Sangrur, Patiala, Ferozepur, Bathinda, and Amritsar.
Participating Farmer Bodies: 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), are actively participating in the protest.
Farmers’ Demands: The farmers’ agitation in Punjab is driven by a series of demands aimed at addressing the challenges faced by agricultural communities in the region. Some of the key demands include:
Flood Relief Packages: Farmers are calling for financial relief packages for individuals affected by floods in northern India.
Minimum Support Price (MSP): They seek a legally binding assurance for MSP across all crop categories. The demand is in line with the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission report.
Debt Waivers: Comprehensive debt waivers for farmers and laborers are among the demands.
Withdrawal of Agitation Cases: Farmers are requesting the withdrawal of cases related to their previous protests in Delhi.
Compensation for Farmer Deaths: The protesters are demanding ₹10 lakh compensation and a government job for the family of each farmer who lost their life during the agitation against the now-repealed three farm laws.
Farmers Stand United:
Sarwan Singh Pandher, the general secretary of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, emphasized the unity of farmers across the country on these issues. He cautioned that more farmers from Haryana would join the protest if anyone attempted to misbehave with the farmers of Punjab. Farmers are united throughout the country, he stated.
As the ‘Rail Roko’ agitation continues, it underscores the determination of farmers to press for their demands and bring attention to the challenges faced by the agricultural community in India.