Train services in Punjab faced significant disruptions today as the farmers' 'rail roko' agitation entered its second day. A substantial number of farmers gathered on the railway tracks, asserting their demands for financial aid to offset losses caused by recent floods, a legally binding assurance on Minimum Support Price (MSP), the withdrawal of legal cases related to previous protests in Delhi, and compensation along with employment opportunities for the families of farmers who lost their lives during these demonstrations.

Railway authorities reported a series of actions in response to the three-day protest. While some train services had to be canceled, several others had their routes diverted, and a few were short-terminated due to the ongoing stir.

The protesting farmers, under the leadership of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, have declared their determination to continue their agitation against the Union government until September 30th. A coalition of farmer groups, including the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Bharti Kisan Union (Krantikari), BKU (Ekta Azaad), Azaad Kisan Committee Doaba, BKU (Behramke), BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh), and BKU (Chottu Ram), are actively participating in this protest.

This agitation spans 17 locations across Punjab, with protests taking place in Moga, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Tarn Taran, Sangrur, Patiala, Ferozepur, Bathinda, and Amritsar.

In Amritsar, farmers staged a sit-in on the Amritsar-Delhi railway track in Devidas Pura, while in Hoshiarpur, members of the Azad Kisan Committee, Doaba, conducted a dharna at the local railway station. They have stated that if their demands are not met by the specified deadline, they will decide on the next course of action.

Earlier, on September 28th, hundreds of railway passengers heading to various destinations, including Delhi, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, found themselves stranded at the Ambala Cantonment Railway Station in Haryana due to disruptions in rail services caused by the ongoing protest in neighboring Punjab.

What Are the Farmers Demanding?- The farmers have presented a set of demands, including a financial relief package for those affected by the recent floods in North India, a legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops, and the forgiveness of debts owed by farmers.

Farmer leader Gurbachan Singh emphasized that they are seeking a Rs. 50,000-crore flood relief package for North Indian states, in addition to the implementation of MSP as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission report. He also called for the complete waiver of debts owed by farmers and laborers, along with Rs. 10 lakh in compensation and government jobs for the families of farmers who lost their lives during the protests against the now-repealed three farm laws.

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