Hundreds of farmers arrested; several trains halted indefinitely; passengers harassedAfter talks between the state government and farmers’ unions failed and the government refused to accept any of the farmers’ demands, representatives of seven farmer unions today blocked rail traffic statewide, disrupting several trains. All this despite the fact that the state government had tried to arrest major farmer leaders yesterday through the local police, forcing them to go underground. Even today, heavy police deployment at strategic points proved to be some deterrent. It is learnt arrests were made near Khanna and Mansa, while rail traffic is still on hold near Phagwara. Nearly 100 farmers have been arrested near Khanna, while 80 farmers have been arrested in Mansa. More than 200 activists of various farmer unions were apprehended at Lalluana village in Mansa, when they started their march towards railway tracks. After this arrest, another batch of about 150 farmers reached there to be arrested. The protesting farmers had assembled at the Lalluana village gurdwara and were demanding enhancement in bonus on paddy. When the farmers tried to head towards the railway tracks, the waiting policemen gheraoed them and bundled them in various police vehicles. Before their arrest, the farmers raised slogans against the Union and state governments.Sukhdev Singh Kokri, general secretary , BKU (Ekta), a farmers’ body that has been supporting this rail roko from the outside, said, “The mass arrest of farmers is highly condemnable. Instead of locking us up in jails, the state government should hold talks with us.” BKU Ekta (Dakonda) general secretary Buta Singh Burjgill said the arrests would not demoralise the farmers, who will intensify their struggle after coming out of jail. SSP Manminder Singh, confirming the arrests of farmer activists, said it is a preventive measure to stop agitators from disrupting government machinery or causing loss to government property. Earlier, a delegation of farmer unions had met Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at his residence on Friday morning, said BKU (Dakonda) state senior vice-president Manjit Singh Dhaner. He said despite farmers’ persistent demands, Badal had flatly declined to announce a bonus on paddy, forcing farmers to resort to an agitation.Meanwhile, at Ludhiana railway station, passengers had a tough time as traffic was blocked indefinitely and authorities were unable to say anything about the departure or arrival of trains. Perminder Singh, divisional traffic manager, said they had halted some trains at the city station, while some trains were blocked at nearby stations. The trains affected include Amritsar Tata Express and Swarn Shatabdi.Malwa Express (2919) halted at the city station, while Amarpali Express and Dadar Express were delayed for an unlimited time. The Jaipur-Jammu Express halted at Badowal station and Shaan-e-Punjab halted at Sirhind station.In Amritsar, hundreds of passengers were seen huddled at the railway station, waiting for their respective trains, while others were seen eagerly making inquiries. Vimal Kumar, Station Superintendent, said a large number of passengers, whose trains had been cancelled, were given a refund. Meanwhile, following the crackdown on farmers yesterday, more farmer leaders were rounded up by the police in various districts today as a precautionary measure.
