Punjab Farmers Body Begins Rail Roko Agitation, Trains Cancelled

A farmers’ body in Punjab has decided to hold a ‘rail roko’ agitation in the state from 24 to 26 September

Farmers block vehicular movement across the Amritsar-Delhi national highway as they stage a demonstration against the Centre over its three agriculture ordinances. 

(Photo: IANS)

As protests against the Centre’s farm Bills intensify, a farmers’ body in Punjab began the ‘rail roko’ agitation in the state from 24 to 26 September. Apart from the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee’s call to stop trains, various farmers organisations in Punjab have also called for a strike on 25 September.

Fourteen pairs of passenger trains running from the Railways’ Ferozepur division were cancelled for the next three days in view of the protests against the Centre’s three agriculture Bills.

Meanwhile, the Indian Railways said that the 'rail roko' agitation in Punjab over farm bills will severely impact loading of foodgrains and other essential goods as well as movement of passengers travelling on special trains, reported PTI.

Union minister of food processing industries and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal resigned from the Union Cabinet on Thursday, 17 September, as a mark of protest against the bills. Farmers, however, are not convinced and believe the Shiromani Akali Dal MP was too late to react.

“Harsimrat Kaur Badal ji’s resignation has come very late. It’s to calm down anger of people. Even today, if Sukhbir Badal ji realises, then he should ‘gherao’ the Parliament with lakhs of his workers.”

Sarwan Singh Pandher, General Secy, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee to ANI 

The protests were triggered over three bills that were introduced by the Centre in the Lok Sabha earlier this week. The bills include, the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill.

While the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020 was passed on 15 September, two others were passed by the Lok Sabha on 17 September.