Farmers meet Punjab CM Channi, suspend 'rail roko'

Amritsar, December 28

Farmers under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) today suspended its ‘rail roko’ agitation following their representatives’ meeting with CM Charanjit Singh Channi.

For the past nine days, the farmers had blocked the rail track in support of their demands at Jandiala in Amritsar, Tarn Taran railway station, Tanda in Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar Cantt, Moga and Fazilka railway stations and at Basti Tenka Wali in Ferozepur, leading to disruption of over 90 trains. Sarwan Singh Pandher, general secretary, KMSC said seven rail tracks were vacated from 4 pm onwards following an assurance by the CM that their demands would be addressed.

The next meeting with the CM has been scheduled for January 8. He said the assurance was given on the hike in relief for basmati crop that was damaged due to hailstorm would be enhanced from Rs 12,000 an acre to Rs 17,000, jobs and compensation to the family members of farmers who lost lives during the course of farm agitation at Delhi borders within a week, and cancellation of the cases registered against farmers after discussion with the Centre. “Besides, the CM responded positively to the loan waiver for marginal farmers,” Pandher said. — TNS