Farmers’ Rail-Roko protest at Shambu, disrupts 150 trains
HARISH MONGA
Ferozepur, May 2, 2024: The Rail Roko protest by the farmers at Shambu station ( Amabala Division ) entered the 16th day and the railway had to cancel 46 trains, short-terminate 2 trains, short-originate 2 trains and divert 100 trains from May 2 to May 5.
While the political ‘hulchul’ has started with the election date drawing near, the angry farmers too have upped their arms to continue with their protest.
The farmers under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukt Kisan Morcha non-political have been sitting on tracks of Shambhu railway station, touching the Haryana border, since April 17. More than 100 trains daily are being affected, causing a huge loss to the railways and inconvenience to the public especially those who had already scheduled their programmes by booking in advance.
The model code of conduct has been implemented. In such a situation, neither the state nor the Centre can do anything as of now. Hence sitting on tracks or roads at this time is a loss to the railways and industry as well, while Delhi is not even bothered.
The farmer outfits have now understood the problem being faced by the public and by Punjab industry and may give a second thought to their next protest plan strategy, sources said.
Sarwan Singh Pandher, farmer leader said that the protest has been going on for the last 75 days and the rail protest has entered its 16th day today. Giving a warning, he said, don’t take the test of our patience, take it granted that we will continue our protest till our demands are accepted.
The farmers have been seeking implementation of a legal guarantee for a minimum support price (MSP) for their agricultural produce; justice for Shubhkaran Singh, a young farmer from Bathinda, who died on February 21 in clashes between the farmers and police near the Khanauri border separating Punjab and Haryana during the ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest; and release of arrested farmers during protests.