Protesting farmers on Wednesday announced a four-hour nationwide rail blockade on February 18 as they renewed their strategy to intensify their agitation, which also included a candlelight march on February 14 in the memory of those killed in the 2019 Pulwama terrorist attack.
In a statement, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, (SKM) also said toll collection will not be allowed in Rajasthan from February 12 as part of their week-long protest plan.
The SKM said in the statement that in a meeting on Wednesday farmer unions decided to escalate their agitation. “There will be a ‘rail roko’ programme across the country from 12 pm to 4 pm on February 18,” the SKM said.
Earlier this month, the protesting farmers had observed a three-hour road blockade to press their demand of repealing the three laws.
SKM leader Darshan Pal said candle marches, “Mashaal Juloos” (torch marches) and other programmes will be held across the country on February 14 in respect of the sacrifices of the 40 CRPF personnel who were killed in a terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pulwama on February 14, 2019.
He said the farmers also will hold events in a show of solidarity on the birth anniversary of Sir Chhotu Ram — who was one of the most prominent pre-partition farmer leaders — on February 16.
The announcement comes on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Government and Parliament have great respect for farmers who are voicing their views on the three farm laws.
Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait asserted that the agitating farmers were not aiming at any change in power at the Centre but a solution to their problems as he said many of their leaders will tour different parts of the country to spread the movement.
Addressing the protesting farmers at Singhu border, Tikait said that the agitation against the farm laws will stretch till the Centre addresses their issues. “We do not aim change in power (at the Centre). The government should do its work. We want it to repeal the farm laws and ensure a law on MSP,” he said.
Tikait said that the agitation will be long drawn and continue till the Government starts talks with farmer leaders. The protesting farmer unions have been alleging the laws will weaken the MSP mechanism and end the mandi system. But the Government says the new legislations offer more options to farmers to sell their crops, and will help raise their incomes.