Centre accuses Punjab govt for ‘misguiding’ on clearing of all rail tracks in the state

Punjab farmers on Friday cleared railway tracks in Punjab to allow the movement of goods trains in Punjab following the persuasion of the state government, an official said.

The Home Department, Punjab, is trying to clear the railway tracks so that the movement of goods trains in Punjab can be resumed. If it goes like it, then the passenger trains are also likely to resume after the movement of freight trains in the state.

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According to the officials, the Punjab farmers have vacated all the 21 sites where protests were being held against the Centre's farm laws 2020.

Reportedly, the farmers are only present on a railway platform at Jandiala while the police is trying to vacate the farmers from the Jandiala site too.

Also Read | Punjab CM seeks Piyush Goyal's personal intervention for restoration of movement for goods trains

To Punjab government's claim that tracks have been cleared, the Ministry of Railways stated that "State Govt. is misguiding by saying that all tracks are clear for the movement of Goods trains. We request the State Govt to clear the track and stations for the operation of all trains."

In a press conference on Friday, Chairman and CEO Railway Board VK Yadav had clearly explained that Railways can start train operations in Punjab only if track and stations are clear for running of all trains including freight and passenger trains.

The train services in the state remained suspended since September 24 when farmer organisations organised rail roko agitation against the recently passed farm laws.

The farm laws 2020 — the Farmers'' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 — were enacted recently after President Ram Nath Kovind gave consent to them.

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