Farmers Movement Archive

Punjab: No decision on ‘rail roko’, farmers’ meeting continues

AMRITSAR: While maintaining that their rail roko agitation had no impact on rail services in Punjab, farm body Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) blamed the government for ignoring alternate rail routes and instead shifting the responsibility of blocking rail traffic on farmers. KMSC state general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher told TOI on Sunday: “We have begun the meeting of our core committee, which will have various sessions, and could last till late in the night since we have significant and important issues to discuss.” “All rail tracks are open. We have come to know that the Jakhal-Dhuri goods train was seen plying, maybe for maintenance, but it meant that the route was open. So, why is the government blaming farmers for blocking trains?” he said. He also questioned the government for not using alternate routes where farmers were not sitting on protest. KMSC, which is not part of the 31 organisations of farmers protesting against farm laws but support their cause, is contemplating to intensify its agitation against the Centre, state government and corporate houses, which, it claims, would wrest control over Punjab’s farming with the implementation of Centre’s three agriculture laws. Farm leader Gurbachan Singh Chabba said they had appealed to all people of Punjab, especially women, to come out of their houses and be part of November 5 nationwide ‘Chakka Jam’ call . “People should realise it is not just farmers who will be affected by these controversial laws, but common people also, even a small shopkeeper as well as those in service will have to face the brunt of these laws, so it is the issue of common interest for which it is the time to come forward and extend support,” said Chabba. Pandher said they were also serious over Centre’s recently introduced law imposing heavy penalties, including jail term, even for those burning stubble in Delhi NCR.

The Times of India

2020-11-02

Chandigarh