3 hrs ago
Punjab Farmers’ Rail Blockade Disrupts 20 Train Services
Farmers in Punjab held a protest on railway tracks at five places.
They wanted the state government to discuss their demands.
The blockade lasted from noon until 6 p.m.
and affected 20 train services.
Some trains were cancelled, while others were diverted, delayed, or stopped early.
This caused passengers to spend extra time and money travelling.
Officials spoke with the farmers and promised a meeting with the agriculture minister on September 24.
The farmers then ended the blockade.
Their demands include loan waivers, guaranteed crop prices, and help for families affected by farmer and labourer suicides.
Farmers blocked railway tracks for nearly six hours at five Punjab locations.
The protest affected 20 train services, including the New Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi Express.
Railways cancelled four trains, diverted seven, and altered several others.
Farmers called off the blockade after officials promised talks with Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian on September 24.
Their demands include a loan waiver, legal MSP guarantees for five crops, and compensation for affected families.
- Who
- Farmers represented by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, along with Punjab officials and railway passengers.
- What
- A nearly six-hour railway-track blockade disrupted 20 train services in Punjab.
- Where
- At Devidaspura in Amritsar, Jhakholhari in Pathankot, Dagru in Moga, Mallanwala in Ferozepur, and Sunam in Sangrur.
- When
- Thursday, September 17, from noon to 6 p.m.; a meeting was promised for September 24.
- Why
- Farmers sought talks with the state government over demands including loan waivers, legal MSP guarantees, compensation, and withdrawal of the land-pooling policy.
Farmers’ Demands
Railway and Public Disruption
Reason for the blockade
Farmers’ Demands
Farmers said the action was needed to pressure the Punjab government to discuss loan waivers, legal MSP guarantees, compensation, pending jobs, and other demands.
Railway and Public Disruption
The blockade disrupted rail operations and affected commuters travelling for work, business, medical treatment, education, and other essential purposes.
Ending the protest
Farmers’ Demands
Farmers agreed to end the blockade after officials assured them of a September 24 meeting and action on compensation, pending jobs, and certain legal cases.
Railway and Public Disruption
Passengers whose trains were cancelled, diverted, or terminated had to spend additional time and money and sometimes change their planned journeys.
Key facts
- Protesting organization
- Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM)
- Duration
- Approximately six hours, from 12 noon to 6 p.m.
- Affected services
- 20 train services
- Railway changes
- Four trains cancelled, seven diverted, three short-terminated, four short-originated, and two rescheduled
- Promised meeting
- Farmer leaders and Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian are to meet on September 24
- Suicide-related assistance
- Assurances of Rs 3 lakh for each affected farmer family and Rs 2 lakh for each affected farm-labourer family
- Major demands
- Loan waivers, legal MSP guarantees for basmati, maize, moong, mustard and potatoes, and withdrawal of the land-pooling policy
Sources
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