Farmers Movement Archive

Farmers’ rail roko agitation spreads to Jalandhar, Tanda in Punjab’s Doaba region

Extending their rail roko agitation in Punjab against the passage of the three farm bills in Parliament, farmers began blocking rail tracks in the Doaba region of the state on Saturday afternoon. The railways had already cancelled trains across Punjab from September 24 to 26 after farmers announced their three-day blockade plans. Now that the farmers have extended their rail roko agitation till September 29, the railways will reschedule services. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee district president Salwinder Singh said that rail tracks have been blocked in Jalandhar cantonment, Tanda and Kartarpur. Women were present in large numbers at the Tanda protest on the Jammu-Pathankot-Jalandhar rail track. Ferozepur divisional railway manager (DRM) Rajesh Agarwal said a decision on resuming train operations will be taken on Saturday evening. “The farmers’ protest is ongoing so it is not possible to assess the loss yet. We will decide on services after assessing the situation later today,” he said. FARMERS DIG IN THEIR HEELS IN AMRITSAR Farmers continued their protest on rail tracks in Amritsar district with Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher announcing the extension of the agitation. Pandher, who is leading the farmers on the rail track at Devidas Pura village near Amritsar to block the key Amritsar-Delhi railway route since September 24, similar protests are being held at seven places in Punjab, including Tarn Taran and Fazilka. The agitating farmers, who have been spending nights on the tracks, are being supplied food by villagers. Women participate in the agitation during the day. Criticising the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leadership, Pandher said the SAD leaders did not raise any slogan against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their chakka jam (road blockade) on Friday, showing they still backed the BJP-led government at the Centre. “They are still part of the alliance,” he added.

Hindustan Times

26-09-2020

Chandigarh