Jobaaj Stories
Farmers in Punjab staged a 'rail roko' protest on Wednesday, blocking train routes in multiple areas to pressure the government into meeting their demands. The protest, organized by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, aimed to push for a legally binding minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
According to Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, farmers began sitting on rail tracks at noon and planned to remain there until 3 pm. The protest took place in various districts, including Moga, Faridkot, Kadian, Batala, Phillaur, Tanda, Dasuya, Mahilpur, Makhu, Talwandi Bhai, Sahnewal, Shambhu, Mohali, Sunam, and Lehra.
This protest is part of a larger movement by farmers who have been camping at border points between Punjab and Haryana, especially at Shambhu and Khanauri, since February 13. Their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces, and they have made multiple failed attempts to resume it, facing teargas attacks from the police.
One of the key leaders, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, has been on a hunger strike at the Khanauri border for the past three weeks, demanding a legal guarantee of MSP. In addition to the MSP issue, farmers are also asking for a debt waiver, pensions for farmers and farm workers, no increase in electricity tariffs, and the withdrawal of police cases against protestors.
reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, and They are also seeking justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence,compensation for the families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 farmers' agitation.
