Ferozepur (Punjab) [India], October 3 : Several trains were delayed in the Ferozepur division in Punjab after various farmer organisations organised a two-hour long "Rail Roko" protest on Thursday to mark the third anniversary of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
As per an official release, a total of 17 trains were delayed in the Ferozepur division, however, . the official release mentioned that no trains were delayed or rerouted due to the protest.
"In the Firozpur division, various farmer organisations organised a "Rail Roko" movement today. Around 33 places were occupied by protest demonstrations. Due to this demonstration, no trains were cancelled or rerouted. These trains were only delayed because of the protest," the statement read.
It also mentioned that the trains were stopped at locations where passengers would not face any inconvenience and would continue to have access to basic amenities like tea and water (food and beverages).
"To keep passengers informed about the affected trains, help desks were set up at stations, and continuous announcements were made through the public address system. After the protest concluded, the trains were resumed following safety and security protocols," the release said.
The protesting farmers also demanded a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Among the demands of the farmers include a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) on all crops, loan waivers and justice for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri tragedy.
On October 3, 2021, eight people, including four farmers, were killed in Lakhimpur Kheri during protests against the now-repealed farm laws.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, "We have blocked the Devidaspura railway track. We are demanding justice in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident...A legal guarantee law on MSP should be made...Paddy is not being purchased in Punjab...We urge the Punjab Government and Central government to ensure that the strikes of workers, middlemen are ended so that the paddy could be purchased."
The 17 trains disrupted in Ferozepur rail division at their destinations are - Train No. 01612 at Golewala, 04997 Ferozshah, 04464 Dhuri, 12479 and 20847 Ludhana, 06936 Pathankot, 05005 Jaisalmer City, 14674 and 19612 Amritsar, 12920 Moga, 11077 Pathankot Cantt, 06949 Kandrai, 06966 Ferozepur Cantt, 124767 Maler Kotla, 04597 Nowshera, 06941 Patti and 19224 at Kapurthala.
Farmers have been sitting on the Haryana-Punjab border since February 13, when their march was stopped by the security forces.
Recently, Union Minister and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar slammed the protests at the Haryana Punjab border, saying that those who are carrying out these protests are not farmers and that the Supreme Court will soon give out the decision to stop such people from crossing the line.
"There is a big issue. The route to Punjab at the (state) border, is closed...We had made all the plans to open this route. But the people sitting on that side are not farmers. In the garb of farmers, there are a few people who want to impair the system and destabilise the government...You also know who they are...Today people of Haryana are happy that they did not let such people set foot in the state..." said Khattar while addressing party workers in Haryana's Ambala.