Farmers blocked railway tracks at multiple locations across Punjab on Friday, bringing train services to a halt. They sat on the railway tracks across the state as part of a two-hour “Rail Roko” agitation, demanding action on several key issues affecting the farming community.
The protest follows the announcement made earlier by farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, who had declared that farmers would halt train services on December 5 in support of their demands.
According to the Kisan-Mazdoor Morcha, the agitation is in protest against the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025, which farmers claimed was a move to sell government land, and issues related to the Shambhu-Khanauri movement.
The Morcha said preparations are under way for larger protests against both the Punjab and Central governments. It said the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025 was the major reason behind the Rail Roko protest.
Speaking to the media, farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Manjit Singh Rai said the protests would intensify in the coming weeks. They announced a protest on December 10 against prepaid smart meters, while on December 17 and 18, they would hold sit-in demonstrations outside all DC offices. Farmers would hold a full-scale Rail Roko protest on December 19 if their demands are not addressed.
Farmers also raised the issue of pending sugarcane payments. They demanded that the state government should ensure the release of dues immediately and fix the sugarcane rate at ₹500 per quintal. Farmers warned that if the government fails to take timely action, they would be forced to further intensify their agitation.
Also read: Punjab farmers hold massive protest in Chandigarh
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