Punjab farmers hold 'rail roko' aandolan in Amritsar for farm loan waiver

The 'rail roko' agitation by Punjab farmers for agricultural debt waivers and restitution for the kin of those killed during the anti-farm legislation uprising reached its third day on Wednesday, disrupting the operation of several trains.

Farmers are requesting that all farm loans be forgiven, as well as compensation for the families of those who perished as a result of the anti-farm laws uprising. On Tuesday, angry farmers stopped railway tracks in several locations across Punjab, disrupting the travel of 156 trains.

Train services have been disrupte:

According to railway officials in Ferozepur division, 84 trains were cancelled, 47 were short-terminated, and 25 were short-originated. Amritsar-Jaynagar Saryu Yamuna Express (14650), Amritsar-Nanded Superfast (12422), Amritsar-Chandigarh Intercity Express (12412), Amritsar-Howrah Express (13006), Amritsar-Mumbai Golden Temple Express (12904), Amritsar-Darbhanga Jannayak Express (15212), Amritsar-Darbhanga Jan ( 14632).

What are the demands of farmers?

Farmers, led by the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, began the agitation on Monday, demanding a complete loan waiver, compensation for the families of those who perished during the year-long anti-farm legislation uprising, and the dismissal of the criminal cases filed against them.

They also want Rs 50,000 per acre in compensation for damaged crops, as well as the release of delayed sugarcane crop dues and the elimination of the contract system.

A farmer leader, Satnam Singh Pannu, has stated that the "dharna" will not be lifted until the demands are met.

"During a meeting on September 28, we were given an assurance by Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, but the state government later backed out. Besides the four places where farmers are sitting on a dharna, we will start the protest at three more sites in Punjab from Wednesday," he said.

Protests have broken out across Punjab:

Farmers are currently sitting on railway tracks in Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, and Hoshiarpur, among other areas.

Meanwhile, outside the office of the deputy commissioner (DC) in Ludhiana, a group of farmers staged a sit-in. Protesting farmers prevented DC Varinder Kumar Sharma and his employees from leaving for lunch.

At around 5:30 p.m., the DC emerged from his office under security cover.

Paramjit Singh Ghloti, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), said, "We are agitating against the non-implementation of the promises made by the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. The government is befooling farmers."

He stated that the protest would continue on Wednesday. Ghloti stated that their key requests are compensation for the families of farmers who committed suicide as a result of debt non-payment and Rs 360 per quintal for sugarcane.