Farmers Movement Archive

‘Rail roko’ agitation starts in Punjab

Farmers in Punjab began their three-day “rail roko” protest against farm bills on Thursday as the Railways suspended several trains to avoid a confrontation with them. The call for agitation was given by the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and later different farmers’ outfits extended their support to it. Besides “rail roko” protest, 31 farm organisations have also given a call for Punjab Bandh on Friday. They will disrupt rail traffic from October 1 for an indefinite period. Meanwhile, the SAD has given a call to disrupt vehicular traffic for two hours on Friday in protest against the agri bills. In Bathinda, BKU Ekta Ugrahan held protests at 19 places in the state, mainly in the Malwa region, whereas Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee blocked tracks in Majha and Doaba. Protesters pitched tents on railway tracks. On Wednesday, Ferozepur railway division had cancelled 14 special trains for three days, keeping in mind the safety of passengers and protection of railway property from any damage. “It is a do or die battle for farmers. Once the bills become laws, minimum support price will be a thing of the past and crop will be purchased by multinational companies and corporate houses at prices they fancy. Besides farmers, states where the concept of agricultural produce market committee concept is strong will also face huge financial losses. Contract farming will reduce small and marginal farmers to farm labourers on their own farms,” said BKU Ugrahan general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokri. Apprehending hoarding by big players following changes in the Essential Commodities Bill, Kokri claimed farmers will not get remunerative prices. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee president Satnam Singh said, “We have decided to go all out and fight a full-fledged battle. We will make any sacrifice but will not allow the laws to be implemented in Punjab.” Police facilitated the protests at many places. In Barnala, cops set up a stall at the entrance of the railway station and provided masks and soaps to farmers. They also looked out for those not wearing masks and asked them to do so. Three women and two male cops were deployed. In Ferozepur, protesting farmers and farm labourers, including women, raised anti-government slogans and demanded rollback of all the three farm bills passed recently by both the Houses of Parliament. They blocked the railway track near Ferozepur Cantonment railway station by putting up a tent on the railway lines. Various farmers’ outfits, government teachers’ unions, agriculture employees’ unions, public organisations, milk union, taxi union, arhtiya association, munim and palledar union also joined the protest. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee state president Satnam Singh Pannu condemned the lathicharge and use of water cannons on protesters in certain parts of the country. He also announced that MPs who supported the bills would not be allowed to visit villages in the state. In Amritsar, where a large number of farmers and their family members converged at Devidaspura, a village on the city outskirts, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee state general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said they had received immense support from various quarters, be it youths, teachers, commission agents and women. He also announced that they would not allow any political leader to address the farmers, saying, “No doubt they are extending support for the farmers’ cause but they should struggle on their own and not use our platform. Tomorrow, these politicians will come seeking votes.” Sources said representatives of different farmers’ organisations held a meeting to chalk out a strategy in case police stopped them from reaching the protest venues. Various farm leaders questioned SAD (B) president Sukhbir Badal over his party’s coalition with the BJP, saying, “When will Sukhbir Badal, who claims to be the well-wisher of farmers, break the coalition with BJP and extend 100% support to farmers?” Farm leader Gurbachan Singh Chabba said, “India’s future lies with farmers and labourers and not with the corporates. The Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi should face the reality and withdraw the controversial bills.” Twinkle Singh, who among the protesters, said, “I am an Indian citizen and it is my democratic right to stand against the policies which will have a devastating effect on the people of my country, especially farmers, who are already reeling under debt and other issues.” Box SGPC offices to remain closed SGPC has extended support to the Punjab Bandh on September 25 and announced to keep its offices closed on that. SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said, “We are with the farmers in their struggle against the controversial agriculture bills and will keep our offices closed on Friday.” Describing farmers as the backbone of the country’s economy, he said no bill that jeopardises the farming sector could be approved and the Centre should understand the sentiments of farmers and needs of the farm economy.

The Times of India

2020-09-25

Chandigarh