Amritsar: Multiple farmers’ organizations have embarked on a three-day rail blockade, commencing on Thursday, to advocate for an array of critical demands. These demands encompass a financial relief package to address the losses incurred due to recent floods, a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP), and the forgiveness of debts, among others.
The decision to undertake this significant protest was announced by Sarwan Singh Pandher, the general secretary of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, following a pivotal gathering that brought together representatives from 19 distinct farmers’ groups.
While the majority of participating farmer bodies hail from Punjab, the movement has garnered support from farmers’ outfits in other regions, including Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, among others.
Pandher explained to PTI that the farmers are fervently demanding financial relief packages for individuals affected by the recent floods in northern India. They are also seeking a legally binding assurance of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all categories of crops, along with comprehensive debt waivers, among other pressing issues.
The ‘rail roko’ protest is set to take place at 12 different locations in Punjab, including Moga, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Tarn Taran, Sangrur, Patiala, Ferozepur, Bathinda, and Amritsar. This widespread demonstration underscores the determination of the farming community to voice their concerns and push for concrete solutions to the challenges they face.