Congress blocks trains in Punjab for farmers' cause

Congress leaders and activists in Punjab blocked trains at some places in Punjab on Saturday, demanding the state and central governments take immediate steps to help farmers who have been affected by the recent unseasonal rains and erratic weather.

Congress activists blocked trains near the Sirhind railway station, 60 km from here. They were led by Punjab Congress president Pratap Singh Bajwa.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi visited grain markets in Sirhind, Khanna and Mandi Gobindgarh on April 29 to listen to the problems being faced by farmers.

Congress activists, led by MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, blocked railway tracks near Ludhiana.

"We are highlighting the cause of the farmers as the Centre and the Punjab government have abandoned them," Ravneet Singh said.

Train services on the busy Delhi-Amritsar section were affected due to the blockade which lasted for one to two hours.

Farmers across Punjab are protesting the slow lifting of wheat stocks. They are blaming the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government for the procurement mess in the state.