CHANDIGARH, OCT 16: The five farmer organisations which had launched a rail roko agitation in Punjab over the paddy procurement issue have decided to suspend the agitation following the announcement of concessions by the Central Government.Reports received from districts indicate that with the lifting of the bandh at railway stations, rail traffic has resumed in various parts of the state.However, the agitation had been only suspended, not terminated, Budhlala MLA Hardev Singh Arshi, one of the leaders of the stir, said here today. The agitation would be resumed in case the promises were not kept, he added.General Secretary of the BKU (Ekta) Gurmeet Singh Dittupur said they would continue to struggle for compensation for the paddy sold between September 14 and 21, as well as persist with the demand that Rs 5 lakh be provided to families of the five farmers who had allegedly committed suicide on the issue.The rail roko stir had been called by two kisan sabhas affiliated to the CPI and CPI(M) - Kirti Kisan Union and BKU (Ekta). For three days, railway traffic in Punjab was severely affected due to the farmers' agitation.Former MP and All India Shiromani Akali Dal (AISAD) leader Prem Singh Chandumajra has, meanwhile, demanded that the Food Corporation of India should be wound up.
