Several farmers’ bodies on Saturday announced a three-day rail blockade in Punjab from today, September 28, in support of their demands including a financial package for losses caused by the recent floods, a legal guarantee for MSP, and a debt waiver.
“If anyone tries to misbehave with the farmers of Punjab, then farmers from Haryana will also join Punjab farmers. Farmers are united throughout the country,” a farmer leader said.
“Rail roko will begin across Punjab for three days today. There are many issues including the MSP guarantee, and cases against farmers during Delhi protests not being taken back and other issues…Forget about farmers’ income being doubled, our expenses have risen 2-3 times…,” said Sarwan Singh Pandher, general secretary, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab.
#WATCH | Farmers in Punjab’s Amritsar led by Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee to stage ‘rail roko’ at noon today over their demands of compensation for flood-affected farmers and MSP guarantee among others
A farmer leader says “If anyone tries to misbehave with the farmers of… pic.twitter.com/KZa4CIjB4G
— ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2023
The decision was announced by Sarwan Singh Pandher, the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary, following a meeting of representatives of 19 farmers’ bodies, PTI reported.
Most of the farmers’ bodies participating in the protest are from Punjab. However, a few outfits from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan will also support the agitation.
Pandher said the farmers are demanding a financial package for flood-affected people in north India, a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, and debt waivers, among other issues, as per PTI reports.
He said the ‘rail roko’ will be held at 12 places in Punjab’s Moga, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Tarn Taran, Sangrur, Patiala, Ferozepur, Bathinda and Amritsar.
The farmers’ bodies supporting the protest include the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Bharti Kisan Union, Bharti Kisan Union, Azaad Kisan Committee Doaba, Bharti Kisan Union, Bharti Kisan Union, Bharti Kisan Union, Kisan Mahapanchayat (Haryana), Pagri Sambhal Jatta (Haryana), Progressive Farmer Front (Uttar Pradesh), Bhoomi Bachao Muhim (Uttarakhand) and the Rashtriya Kisan Sangathan (Himachal Pradesh).