1 day ago
Punjab Farmers Block Rail Tracks Over Unresolved Twelve-Point Demands
Farmers in Punjab started sitting on railway tracks to get the government’s attention.
They want the government to discuss their 12 demands.
These demands include cancelling farm loans and guaranteeing prices for several crops.
They also want help for families of farmers and workers who died by suicide.
The farmers are asking for plans to address floods, falling groundwater, and pollution.
They oppose prepaid electricity meters and several proposed laws and agreements.
They also want cases against protesters withdrawn and belongings returned.
The protest began after the government did not meet their deadline for responding.
Farmers blocked rail tracks at four Punjab locations on Thursday.
The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha is leading the protest.
Farmers want talks with the Punjab government over 12 demands.
Key demands include loan waivers and minimum support prices for crops.
They also seek action on pollution, floods, electricity meters, and protest cases.
- Who
- Farmers led by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, including farmers and workers in Punjab.
- What
- They squatted on railway tracks to press the Punjab government to address 12 demands.
- Where
- At four locations in Punjab: Mallanwala, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Moga.
- When
- The rail blockade began on Thursday after a September 17 noon deadline passed.
- Why
- Farmers said the government had not taken effective action or agreed to hold talks on their demands.
Key facts
- Protest organizer
- Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM)
- Blockade locations
- Mallanwala, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Moga
- Number of demands
- 12
- Major economic demand
- Complete loan waiver for farmers and farm workers
- Crop demands
- Minimum support prices for basmati, maize, moong, mustard, and potatoes
- Earlier action
- Farmers protested outside Deputy Commissioners’ offices on August 31
- Additional demand
- Immediate halt to prepaid electricity meter installations in Punjab
Sources
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