Farmers start rail rokos at nine sites in Punjab.
Farmers and laborers are returning to Delhi after an impressive year-long protest against the Centre’s unpopular farm law. The Sanjha Morcha, a collective of farmers and farm laborers, has begun a roko train at nine places across Punjab.
They want to get a waiver of microfinance businesses and restore damaged electricity connections due to the inability to pay charges.
Amid the agitation that has shut down the state’s rail system, the workers have also requested the allocation of five-marla plots to the needy village families.
However, a waiver of any outstanding power bills and a receipt for Panchayati auctions are dummy plots of land intended for agricultural purposes.
The rail roko will run between 12 noon and 4 pm, focusing on the ongoing demands from the mazdoors, stated Zora Singh Nasrali, President of the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union (PKMU).
BKU Ugrahan – the most prominent farmers association in Punjab, is also a part of the protests. “Many laborers and farmers arrived last night and are now in the track. I too arrived late last night,” said Shingara Singh Maan, the senior vice-president of BKU Ugrahan.
The agitation has been brewing in several locations such as Amritsar, Mansa, two places within Bathinda and Faridkot. It ultimately disrupts the rail system located in Malwa Punjab.
At the same time, the protests at Amritsar Urban have hindered service and trains on the Delhi route.
She is a freelance blogger, writer, and speaker, and writes for various entertainment magazines.