Farm workers disrupt rail services in Punjab

Bathinda/Ludhiana, Dec 12

Train passengers had a tough time today with rail traffic being disrupted for four hours (noon to 4 pm) due to a ‘rail roko’ protest by farm workers demanding repeal of amendments to labour laws, Rs 700 a day & 200 days work under MGNREGA, waiver of pending electricity bills and restoration of connections, and free plots to farm workers.

Key demands

• Immediate repeal of amendments to labour laws
• Rs700 a day & 200 days work under MGNREGA
• Pending power bill waiver & restoration of connections
• Free residential plots to farm labourers

Workers from Mazdoor Mukti Morcha, Pendu Mazdoor Union, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, Rural Mazdoor Union, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sabha, Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union and Punjab Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union participated in dharnas across Punjab.

Protesters alleged the demands made in the meeting of the Joint Workers' Front with Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on November 23 were not met despite repeated assurances. They warned the Punjab Government that if the demands of the workers were not met they would intensify their struggle.

Mazdoor Mukti Morcha, Punjab, president Bhagwant Singh Samao and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union state secretary Lachman Singh Sewawala said if the government did not meet the demands, Congress leaders would be opposed in villages.

Railway officials said protesters had squatted on tracks at Phillaur, Phagwara, Beas, Ajitwal, Gangsar Jaitu and other railway stations. — TNS