Farmers’ protest hits railway services in Punjab

JALANDHAR - Punjab’s railway network was badly affected by a farmers’ protest on Friday.

Members of various farmer and labour organisations blocked railway traffic at several places. The protest continues.

The protest is to demand relaxation of moisture and colour norms for procurement of their paddy, including a higher Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Trains were stopped at many places by protestors, causing passengers to suffer indefinite delays.

“Since morning, there has been no train coming. All the passengers are stressed out. No other transport provision is being given, neither any prior information was given to the stranded passengers. I had to go to Jammu, to somebody’s wedding, and I think because of this problem I wouldn’t be able to go,” said Rahul Vij, a stranded passenger in Jalandhar.

Another passenger, S. K. Bhardawaj said that the enquiry services at railway stations are not giving any information of train timings.

“I already have a reservation, so I came early morning and was informed that the train will arrive at 9.45 a.m., and it will leave from here at 11 a.m. I went back, called up enquiry at 139 and they told me the same. I came here at 10 again, they said 3 p.m. Again I dialled 139, they informed me the train was to leave at 9.45. I have been waiting her since 9.45. Now we do not know if the train is arriving at all at the station,” he said.

Major farmers’ outfits which are in the agitation are Bharitya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan), BKU (Ekta-Dakonda), BKU (Krantikari), Kirti Kisan Union, Jamoohri Kisan Sabha and Punjab Kisan Union. By Ashwini Malhotra (ANI)