Farmers in Punjab began a three-hour ‘Rail Roko’ protest on Wednesday afternoon by sitting on the tracks at more than 100 locations in the state, which is likely to affect train services in the region. The protest started after a farmer who tried to commit suicide in Shambhu Naka last week died during treatment at Patiala Hospital on Wednesday morning.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM, non-political), said, “This is for us to tell ourselves as the government has turned a blind eye to farmers.” The Indian Express.
KMM and SKM opposed the rail row in a non-political manner. Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakunda-Dhaner Group), a member of SKM, has also supported the movement.
In Amritsar, farmers protested at the Devidaspura railway station, affecting the main train traffic to Delhi. Similar protests were held at Fazilka, Shambhu, Dhablan, Barnala, Phillaur, Phase 11 and Sarasini railway stations.
Shambhu railway station is the main connecting line between Punjab and Haryana and a train stop here would disrupt train services in Punjab, leading to trains coming from Haryana to stop services at Ambala or other places, sources said.
“Kisan Mazdoor Morcha alone is protesting ‘Rail Roko’ at more than 45 places. Many other organizations are supporting us. Farmers are sitting on the tracks at more than 100 places,” Pandher said, adding that inter-city and long-haul lines like the one towards Delhi will be hit.
KMM and SKM non-political farmers have been agitating for the implementation of their 13 demands since February 13 in Shambhu and Khanauri borders of Punjab and Haryana. These include minimum support price (MSP) as a legal guarantee and other demands for implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report.
Death of a farmer who attempted suicide
Ranjodh Singh, a 57-year-old farmer from Ratanheri village in Khanna constituency of Ludhiana district, died on Wednesday morning at Rajendra Medical College and Hospital. Singh attempted suicide on 14th November at Shambhu Naka.
Ranjodh Singh Bhangu, a farmer who tried to commit suicide during the agitation, has passed away.
“He was part of 101 farmers who made a third attempt to cross the Shambhu border on December 14 but were not allowed to proceed. 17 people were injured due to tear gas attack, said Pandher.
Singh has parents, wife, a married daughter and an unmarried son. He had about six acres of land which he sold and was in debt of about Rs.7 lakhs.
Singh was at Shambhu Naka since 8th of November.
More than 30 farmers have died in Shambhu and Khanauri crossings since February 13 due to various reasons. This is Singh’s second death due to suicide.
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