Farmers block rail tracks in Jalandhar, seek arrest of Ajay Mishra

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 18

Farmers’ protest over the Lakhimpur Kheri episode in Uttar Pradesh affected train passengers here on Monday. Following the call for ‘rail roko’ movement given by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the farmers blocked several railway tracks demanding the arrest of Union Minister of State Ajay Mishra.

The protests were organized across the state on behalf of farmers’ groups, stated district leaders of the SKM. On behalf of members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Rajewal), a sit-in was organised at Dakoha Gate near Jalandhar cantonment railway station. The blockage continued till 4 pm, causing cancellation of nearly a dozen trains.

Members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Doaba), under the leadership of Satnam Singh Sahni, sat on the railway tracks affecting goods and passenger train services in Phagwara. They demanded the sacking of Ajay Mishra from the Cabinet, the alleged main accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident in which five farmers were mowed down while protesting against the contentious farm laws.

The district unit of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee also supported the ‘rail roko’ dharna.

Similarly, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee district president Satnam Singh Raiwal and district press secretary Harpreet Singh Kotli led a dharna on the Shahkot-Malsiyan railway tracks.

Speaking on the occasion, farm leaders stated that as long as the government did not change its stubborn attitude their protest would continue. He appealed to local residents to unite in their movement against the government to repeal the three black laws. Apart from that, the Delhi morcha would continue till the Power Act 2020 was repealed.

The railway tracks wers blocked at Dhanno Walin Phatak, Lohian Khas, Phagwara, Phillaur, Kartarpur, Dadwindi Phatak between Panjian and Sultanpur Lodhi, Nakodar and others.

While around 100 farmers under the banner of the BKU (Rajewal) were present at the Dakoha crossing, a large number of farmers under the banner of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee were sitting at the Lohian Khas railway crossing.

Amarjot Singh Jandiala, district youth president, BKU (Rajewal), said, the rail roko agitation was being organised against the Centre’s three controversial farm laws and the continuous rise in fuel prices.

The farmers condemned the lynching of Lakhbir Singh at the Singhu border and told that farmers had nothing to do with the killing. Meanwhile, langar for passengers and the protesters was arranged by Baba Nidhan Singh.

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