Punjab rail roko: 4 trains cancelled, 12 diverted as farmers squat on tracks over police action

Of the total, four 4 trains were cancelled, 12 had to be diverted and seven were terminated while five each were short terminated and rescheduled.

The rail roko occurred from 12 noon to 4 pm at various locations, including Rajpura, Sunam, Jethuke, Bhucho, Moga, Mansa, Malaut, Valla railway crossing, Barnala, Sangrur, Budhlada, Jagraon, Fazilka, Gur-har-sahai, and Ghsl Kalan. (Express Photo)

Protesting the Haryana government’s actions on farmers at Shambhu and Khanauri borders, farmer unions BKU Ugrahan and BKU Dakaunda organised a four-hour rail roko at 15 locations in Punjab, disrupting rail services.

According to the Ferozepur railway division, till late evening on Thursday, 33 trains were affected. Of the total, four 4 trains were cancelled, 12 had to be diverted and seven were terminated while five each were short terminated and rescheduled.

As many as 289 passengers sought refund of their tickets and the railways had to pay 2.49 lakh to the passengers, said the office of Ferozepur division of railways. While 108 passengers of Amritsar district sought refund, 107 of Jalandhar district wanted the ticket price back.

The rail roko took place from 12 noon to 4 pm at various locations, including Rajpura, Sunam, Jethuke, Bhucho, Moga, Mansa, Malaut, Valla railway crossing, Barnala, Sangrur, Budhlada, Jagraon, Fazilka, Gur-har-sahai, and Ghsl Kalan, on Thursday throwing life out of gear.

Jointly led by BKU Ugrahan and BKU Dakaunda, the protest aimed to press the government to meet farmers’ demands. BKU Ugrahan President Joginder Singh Ugrahan stressed on unity despite ideological differences, urging the government to address farmers’ concerns promptly. BKU Dakaunda President Manjit Singh Dhaner expressed solidarity, condemning the Haryana government’s treatment of farmers.

Simultaneously, protests at 39 toll plazas in Punjab, organized by SKM in solidarity with farmers, featured dharnas from 11 am to 1 pm. Darshan Pal, member of NCC of SKM, said that general traffic remained unaffected, and tolls were made free for commuters during the protest. Pal criticized the use of force against unarmed farmers and called for the government to implement accepted demands. SKM members plan to discuss the next course of action during a meeting on February 18 in Ludhiana, aligning with the outcome of talks between the government and farmer unions. Buta Singh Burjgill, another NCC member of SKM, emphasized the need for the government to fulfill the accepted demands.

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