Farmer Rail Roko Call: Punjab unions announce statewide rail blockade on April 17 over wheat procurement delay
Farmer Rail Roko Call: Punjab’s farmer organisations have taken strong exception to the delay in the procurement of wheat following widespread crop damage caused by unseasonal rain and hailstorms. The unions have expressed deep resentment over what they describe as the “neglect and exploitation” of farmers during a critical harvesting period.
Several farmer groups, including the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and various unions affiliated with the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), have jointly decided to support a statewide “Rail Roko” protest. The decision comes amid mounting anger over the government’s failure to initiate wheat procurement by relaxing norms, despite significant losses to standing crops.
Farm leaders have warned that if immediate steps are not taken to ease procurement conditions and begin the purchase process, railway traffic across Punjab will be blocked on April 17. The protest is scheduled to take place from 12 noon to 3 pm.
According to the unions, the rail blockade will be carried out at multiple locations across the state with the support of KMM Punjab chapter, five SKM-affiliated organisations in Punjab and the All Kisan Morcha (AKM).
Key protest sites include Devi Dasspura in Amritsar district, Sunam in Sangrur, Hoshiarpur and Dasuya railway stations in Hoshiarpur district, Hussainpur near Rail Coach Factory and Phagwara railway station in Kapurthala, as well as railway stations in Barnala, Tarn Taran, Moga, Jagraon, Patiala, Mansa and Fazilka.
Other locations identified for the protest include Tankan Wali Basti in Ferozepur, Ahmedgarh railway station in Malerkotla, Pathankot (Parmanand), Shahkot in Jalandhar, Rampura Phul in Bathinda, Sahnewal in Ludhiana, Malout in Muktsar and parts of Gurdaspur district.
Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher stated that additional demonstrations will be held at Sangrur and Jagraon railway stations.
The unions have reiterated their demand for immediate intervention by the government to address procurement issues and compensate farmers for crop losses, warning that protests could intensify if their concerns remain unaddressed.
- PTC NEWS
