On Wednesday, disruptions hit railway services in Punjab as farmer unions staged a protest at the Shambhu border in Patiala district. The demonstration aimed to secure the release of three farmer activists recently arrested.
This action led to the cancellation of 11 trains, while 24 others faced route diversions and delays due to the blockade at Shambhu station.
The demand centered around the release of Anish Khatkar, Navdeep Singh Jalveda, and Gurkirat Singh, currently held in Punjab’s Jind and Ambala Central jails. Despite assurances from officials, the activists remained incarcerated, prompting the farmer unions to escalate their protest.
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal expressed dissatisfaction with the authorities’ response, emphasizing that the protest would persist until the activists were released. The standoff intensified as protesters breached police barricades and entered the railway station premises.
Although the police deployed heavy security measures, including water cannons and female officers, they could not deter the determined farmers. The protesters proceeded to erect a tent on the railway tracks, symbolizing their commitment to the cause.
Manjit Singh Rai, another farmer leader, highlighted previous assurances from Punjab and Haryana officials regarding the activists’ release. However, with the deadline set by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM non-political) on April 16 passing without action, tensions escalated further.
The SKM, a non-political coalition of farmers’ unions, initiated the protest at Shambhu border on February 13, 2024. Their demands encompass a wide range of agricultural issues, including a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP), farm loan waivers, and the release of previously detained farmers.
As the standoff continues, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, underscoring the ongoing challenges facing the agricultural sector and the enduring determination of farmers to secure their rights and demands.
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