KMSC calls off protest, expresses solidarity with armed forces

Expressing solidarity with the Indian Armed Forces, the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) called off its rail roko programme today. The decision was taken after farm leaders learned about India’s missile strikes on targets harbouring terrorists in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and in Pakistan.

KMSC general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said farmers had reached near Devidaspura to block rail tracks around 12 pm last night. However, senior police officials arrived at the scene in the wee hours and informed about the air strike on Pakistan, said Pandher.

“We have postponed our protest in national interest,” he said. The decision to call off the protest was taken as a mark of solidarity with the Armed Forces, he added.

Pandher said the police administration had assured the KMSC that all farm leaders arrested during the protest would be released. He said the administration had also promised that no land belonging to farmers would be acquired without paying compensation.

Sukhwinder Singh Sabhra, another leader of the KMSC, alleged that the Punjab Government had tried every means to stop the farmers from holding the protest on May 6.