Farmers’ protest cripples rail traffic in Punjab

“If the government failed to accept the demands of farmers,the next course of action would be chalked out tomorrow afternoon and till then the rail traffic at 11 places will remain blocked,” he said.

Several trains had either been cancelled or regulated from alternative routes in view of the blockade.

Some of trains,including Dadar express,Shatabdi express,Shan e Punjab,Bauroni express,Amarpali express and several passenger trains had been standing at stations in view of the farmers’ protest at several places,railway police said.

The protesters,including women,have blocked railway lines in Sangrur,Patiala,Bathinda,Faridkot,Ferozepur and Amritsar among other places,they said.

Ferozepur division railway manager Neeraj Sahay said the traffic at some places had been regulated and some local trains had been cancelled as a precautionary measure.

The demands of farmers organisations included moisture limit of paddy be raised from 17 to 22 per cent,discolouration limit be raised from five to 12 per cent and MSP of wheat be hiked.

The leaders of farmers organisations accused the Punjab and Central government of allegedly adopting discriminatory policies against farmers.

The leaders also described the recent visit by central team to Punjab to assess the loss of paddy as “eyewash”.

Besides seven labour bodies,prominent farmers organisations resorting to protest included BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan),BKU (Krantikari),Punjab Kisan Sabha,Kirti Kisan Sabha,Kisna Sangrash Committee among others.