Farmers Movement Archive

Delhi: Plans are on track for ‘rail roko’ protest on February 18, say farmers

NEW DELHI: After announcing a four-hour nationwide ‘rail roko’ movement on February 18, members of Samyukt Kisan Morcha have started preparations to invite volunteers for jamming railway tracks, including those leading to Delhi. Farmers at Singhu Border said police might not allow them entry in the capital but railway tracks pass through neighbouring states and they could block the tracks near Ghaziabad and Sonepat. Jitender Singh Sheena, state press secretary, Kirti Kisan Union, Punjab said, “While announcement has been made for blocking railway lines across nation from 12-4 pm on February 18, there will be no exception unlike last time when states like Delhi, UP and Uttarakhand were spared for ‘chakka jam’. We will block all railway lines, including those leading to Delhi.” “We will ensure that the whole exercise is carried out smoothly and as per the plan. The idea is to build pressure on the government to repeal anti-farmer laws,” he said. At Singhu Border, union leaders were seen informing farmers about the event from the main stage on Thursday. Meanwhile, the crowds at Singhu and Tikri borders seem to have thinned out. Farmers at the borders, however, denied it, claiming that “some of them might have gone to their hometown while others are staying inside their camp due to rising temperature during afternoon.” Harbant Singh, another farmer from Kadhali village, said they have been organising community meals from day one of the protest. “While youngsters from our village are collecting and transporting ration regularly, some of them are also staying here to cook food. This movement is not going to end even if there is a decline in the number of protesters. We will leave the place only after the three laws are repealed,” he said. Watch Farmers announce 4-hour nationwide 'rail roko' on February 18

The Times of India

2021-02-12

Delhi