Protesting farmers in Punjab staged a significant ‘rail roko’ agitation on Sunday, marking their continued efforts to push for the fulfilment of their demands, primarily centered around securing a legal guarantee of the minimum support price (MSP) for agricultural produce. The agitation was organized in response to a call by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), a non-political coalition of farmer unions.
The four-hour protest, from noon to 4 pm, saw farmers occupying railway tracks at 62 locations across the state. The KMM and SKM (non-political) coordinated the agitation at 52 places, while five other farmer unions affiliated with SKM — BKU Ugrahan, BKU Dakaunda (Dhaner), BKU (Malwa), BKU (Doaba), and Krantikari Kisan Union — organized it in the remaining 10 locations.
The SKM organization, which spearheaded the farmers’ agitation in 2020-21, was not directly involved in this ‘rail roko’ call but extended its support to the ongoing farmers' agitation at Shambhu and Khanauri points along the Punjab-Haryana border.
The protest impacted rail services significantly, with 49 trains affected in Punjab alone. Nine trains were canceled, while eight were short-terminated, including long-route services. An additional 26 trains were regulated after 4 pm, resulting in disruptions and delays for passengers. The agitators targeted major railway stations such as Ludhiana, Amritsar, Pathankot, Patiala, and Ferozepur, among others.
KMM coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher called upon the people to join the protest in substantial numbers, emphasizing the importance of the farmers' voices being heard. The 'rail roko' agitation is part of the ongoing farmers' Delhi Chalo’ andolan, which began the previous month against the Central Government.
The farmers' key demands include a legal assurance of MSP, the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pensions for farmers and labourers, resolution of police cases against protesters, justice for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, and the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act (2013). The farmers also rejected the Centre's proposal for limited procurement of pulses, maize, and cotton at MSP, asserting that it does not serve the farmers' interests.
While the 'rail roko' protest caused disruptions and inconvenience for railway passengers, it concluded peacefully, underlining the farmers' determination to continue their struggle until their demands are met. The ongoing agitation at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points, which began on February 13, remains a focal point of the farmers' protest in Punjab, symbolizing their resilience in the face of challenges.
Farmers Detained in Haryana
Amidst ongoing farmer protests across the country, several incidents of alleged detainment of farmers by the police were reported in Haryana on Sunday. As farmers headed towards protest sites in Dabwali and Ellenabad, they were reportedly detained by the police.
In Haryana, the 'rail roko' agitation was relatively subdued, with protests reported at only three locations: Mohda railway crossing in Ambala, Manakpur in Panchkula, and Sarsini in Ambala. These protests were organized by the BKU-Shaheed Bhagat Singh faction.
According to KMM coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher, farmers also staged demonstrations by blocking rail lines in Pilibanga (Rajasthan), Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu), Jhabua (Madhya Pradesh), and several other places, underscoring the nationwide solidarity of the farmers' movement.
BKU-Shaheed Bhagat Singh spokesperson Tejveer Singh expressed concern over the imposition of Section 144 in Haryana and alleged intimidation tactics employed by the government. He revealed that farmers were threatened with notices to join police investigations, citing an FIR lodged against him during the agitation. He disclosed receiving a notice to appear at the Ambala police station for interrogation on Monday, condemning the Haryana government's perceived attempts to suppress the farmers' voices.
