Farmers Movement Archive

Punjab ignoring railway confirmation requests, HC told

CHANDIGARH: The railway authorities have claimed that the Punjab government is not paying any heed to their requests regarding confirmation to enable them to resume passengers and goods services trains on the Beas-Amritsar section through Jandiala railway station. According to the railway officials, protesters are still present on railway premises at several areas. These assertions were made by the railway authorities before the Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday through a report filed by Vimal Kalra, senior divisional operations manager, Northern Railway, Ambala Cantt. According to the report, the general manager, Northern Railway, approached the Punjab chief secretary on December 3, seeking confirmation about the restoration of passenger train services through Jandiala so that checking of the section and resumption of the service can be carried out and goods and passengers train services could be resumed at the earliest. Getting no response, a reminder was also sent on December 9, seeking confirmation so as to enable the railways to resume its services on the Beas-Amritsar section through Jandiala railway station. “It is humbly prayed that the state of Punjab may kindly be directed to accord the necessary confirmation and to clear the agitators from railway premises, guarantee security for free run for all trains, including freight and passenger, to and through the state of Punjab and also to maintain law and order in railway premises,” the Railways has submitted. The railway authorities also requested directions to the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, to clear the railway premises. The matter is pending before the HC in the wake of several petitions filed pertaining to the farmers agitation.

The Times of India

2020-12-17

Chandigarh