The Punjab farmers’ ‘rail roko’ protest over farm loan waivers and compensation has entered its third day; several trains have been cancelled

Ferozepur: The Punjab farmers’ ‘rail roko’ agitation over farm loan waiver and compensation for the kin of those killed during the anti-farm laws uprising entered its third day on Wednesday, disrupting the movement of several trains.

Farmers are demanding a complete waiver of farm loans as well as compensation for the kin of those who died as a result of the anti-farm laws uprising. On Tuesday, agitating farmers blocked railway tracks in various locations across Punjab, disrupting the movement of 156 trains.

Train services are disrupted.

According to Ferozepur division railway officials, 84 trains were cancelled, 47 were delayed, and 25 were delayed. The Amritsar-Jaynagar Saryu Yamuna Express (14650), Amritsar-Nanded Superfast (12422), Amritsar-Chandigarh Intercity Express (12412), Amritsar-Howrah Express (13006), Amritsar-Mumbai Golden Temple Express (12904), Amritsar-Darbhanga Jannayak Express (15212), and Amritsar-Dehradun ( 14632).

What are farmers asking for?

Farmers launched the agitation on Monday under the banner of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, demanding a complete loan waiver, compensation for the families of those who died during the year-long anti-farm laws uprising, and the withdrawal of the criminal cases filed against them.

They are also demanding Rs 50,000 per acre in compensation for damaged crops, the release of pending dues for the sugarcane crop, and the abolition of the contract system.

Satnam Singh Pannu, a farmer leader, stated that the “dharna” will not be lifted until the demands are met.

“Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi assured us during a meeting on September 28, but the state government later backtracked. We will begin the protest at three more locations in Punjab on Wednesday, in addition to the four where farmers are sitting on a dharna “He stated.

Protests erupted across Punjab.

Farmers are currently squatting on railway tracks in Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, and Hoshiarpur.

Meanwhile, a group of farmers staged a sit-in outside the deputy commissioner’s (DC) office in Ludhiana. Protesting farmers prevented DC Varinder Kumar Sharma and his staff from leaving for lunch.

At around 5:30 p.m., the DC emerged from his office under security cover.

According to Paramjit Singh Ghloti, a senior member of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), “We are protesting the Punjab government’s failure to keep promises made by Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. Farmers are being duped by the government.”