BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) activists block rly tracks

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 15

Farmers under the banner of the Bharti Kisan Union (BKU), Ekta Ugrahan, blocked rail tracks for three hours on Thursday to protest against violence against protesters moving towards Delhi. The protest on rail tracks near Vallah Sabzi Mandi started around 12 pm and continued till 3 pm.

Farmer leaders said the violence against protesters was unlawful and unethical. BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) district president Kashmir Singh Dhangai said, “The government had promised farmers that it would bring a law to guarantee the purchase of crops at the MSP. It had also promised that a committee to implement Swaminathan Commission report regarding the MSP would be formed.”

He said, “As the government has failed to fulfil any of its promises so, farmers have every right to hold protests.”

Farmer leaders said there was no precedence of throwing tear gas and use of rubber bullets on protesters. They said the government should grant a passage to farmers to reach Delhi.

The BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) Tarn Taran district president said, “Farmers like other sections of society have a right to go anywhere in the country. The Haryana Government is behaving as if farmers are not from Punjab, but Pakistan.” The farmer leader said tactics used by the Haryana Government were against the law as it was throwing tear gas bombs on protesters.

The protest by the farmer union delayed the arrival of several trains. Akal Takht Express was running behind its schedule by one hour and 50 minutes, Karambhoomi by three hours, CSMT ASR Express by four-and-a-half-hour, Nanded Amritsar Super Express by three hours and 14 minutes, Paschim Express by two hours and 10 minutes, Darbhanga Amritsar Express by one-and-a-half-hour and Sachkhand Express by six hours.

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