Rails remain affected in Punjab, as farmers' agitation continues

Rail traffic in Punjab remained disrupted for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, as members of factions of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) continued their protest at Mansa, Barnala and Amritsar by squatting on tracks protesting "tardy" wheat procurement and value cut imposed by the Centre.

Farmers owing allegiance to BKU (Ekta), BKU (Ugrahan) and the Kisan Sangarsh Samiti are protesting at rail lines at Mansa railway station, Barnala Chowki at Barnala and Devi Dass Pura at Amritsar, disrupting the rail traffic, BKU (Ugrahan) General Secretary Sukhdev Singh said.

Railway officials said a number of trains bound for various destinations, including Amritsar and Bathinda, have been short terminated due to the blockade on tracks.

The trains would return from the short terminated places, the officials said, adding that those wishing to cancel tickets would be given full refund.

Singh also said police have taken some 20 farmers into preventive custody.

"We want the procurement process to be smooth...burden has been put on farmers by imposing the value cut which should be removed and procurement of wheat must be expedited," he said.

He said procurement agencies have refused to lift the grains at Tarn Taran, Amritsar and Moga mandis.

"The government has approached us for talks, but our stand is clear that wheat procurement must start forthwith and (should be) hassle-free," he said.

On Monday, rail services in Punjab were severely hit after farmers led by the BKU stopped trains at several places on New Delhi-Amritsar route to protest against tardy wheat procurement and demanded higher compensation for crops damaged due to inclement weather.

Rail traffic had also remained affected on Ambala-Amritsar-Delhi and Bathinda-Delhi sections.

Rail authorities cancelled some trains, besides diverting a few and rescheduling others in the wake of farmers' protest.

Bhartiya Kisan Union Ekta (Ugrahan) and (Ekta) and Kisan Sangarsh Committee had jointly organised "Rail Roko" agitation for 28 hours that started on Monday afternoon to highlight their demands for compensation over crop loss due to unseasonal rain and relaxation in procurement norms.

They were demanding a bonus of Rs 500 a quintal above the minimum support price of wheat.

The trains diverted on the Tarn Taran-Goindwal route are: Amritsar-Haridwar Jan-Shatabdi (12054), Amritsar Mumbai Paschim Express (12926) and Amritsar Dadar Express (11058).

While Amritsar Sealdah Akal Takht Express, Chandigarh-Amritsar Morning Inter City, Nangal Dam-Amritsar Express and New Delhi-Jalandhar Inter City, were cancelled in the view of protest.

The New Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi Express left the national capital at 10 am after a delay of 2.40 hours. Among other trains rescheduled were New Delhi-Amritsar Shan-e-Punjab Express and Amritsar-Sachkhand Express.

A number of trains from several places, including Delhi, Mumbai and Sealdah have been short terminated at several stations, including Ludhiana and Jalandhar.