At the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana, farmers have escalated their protest, culminating in a blockade of the railway tracks. The recent incarceration of three farmer activists spurred unions to paralyze the Patiala district's railway lines on Wednesday. Despite a substantial police presence, farmers dismantled barricades leading to the station and occupied the railway tracks. Despite the police's best efforts, the protesters refused to vacate the tracks and have now pitched tents directly on the rails.
The 'Rail Roko' Movement Initiated by Farmers
As a result of the farmers' blockade, 11 trains have been canceled, and 34 others have been impacted. Railway officials, taking the blockade at Shambhu station into account, have amended routes for some trains and diverted others.
Union leader Manjit Singh Rai disclosed to India Today that officials from both Punjab and Haryana have assured that the three detained farmers would be released. It's noteworthy that the farmer unions, under the apolitical SKM banner, had set a release deadline of April 16th. Rai, together with leaders like Jagjit Singh Dallewal, stated that until the three farmer activists are released, the railway tracks would remain occupied.
It's important to mention that the United Farmers' Front initiated their protest at the Shambhu border on February 13th, 2024, to pressurize the government on various demands. The three farmers, Anish Khatkar, Navdeep Singh Jalwera, and Gurkirat Singh, have been incarcerated due to the ongoing protests. This act of defiance has led to a 'Rail Roko' movement, affecting 34 trains and resulting in 11 cancellations.
