200 farmers block rail lines in a protest that affects train operations.
Farmers’ protest: Manohar Lal Khattar, the chief minister of Haryana, has stated that the administration disagrees with the protest’s style.
Farmers’ demonstration: In Punjab, some 200 farmers blocked train lines and marched into railway stations as the unions persisted in pressing the federal government to grant their demands. The biggest intersection close to the Shambhu border between Haryana and Punjab, Rajpura Railway Junction, was the site of a “rail roko” protest organized by the farmers.
Railway services on the Punjab-Delhi line were disrupted during the protest hours by the farmers, who were scheduled to work from 12 pm to 4 pm.
VIDEO | Farmers Protest: Agitating farmers block railway track at Rajpura in Patiala district of #Punjab.#FarmersProtest pic.twitter.com/sZVKymYXpE
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 15, 2024
Manohar Lal Khattar, the chief minister of Haryana, stated that the administration disagrees with the protest’s method. “We witnessed all of this last year, when they set up a scene and occupied several borders, causing issues for everyone…We disagree with the manner in which they are demonstrating…Tractors are not a kind of transportation; they can go by bus or rail. In order to find a solution, discussions had to be conducted democratically, he stated during a news conference.
He stated that Punjab was urged by Haryana to halt the farmers, but that request was not fulfilled. In an apparent shot at the Aam Aadmi Party-led administration in the state, he remarked, “The Punjab government can stop, but they are not doing it, indicating that the government is supporting agitation.”
Furthermore, on February 16, Harmeet Singh Kadian of the Punjab Chapter of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Kadian) called for a statewide strike. There will probably be further demonstrations on February 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at toll plazas.
In addition to the execution of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pensions for farmers and farm laborers, the remission of agricultural debt, and justice for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, farmers are seeking a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
In order to stop the farmers from traveling to Delhi for their march, the Haryana Police has reinforced the borders. To halt the farmers’ approach, barricades, concrete blocks, iron nails, and container walls have been built at strategic locations around Delhi, including Ghazipur, Singhu, and Tikri.