Punjab Congress President Partap Singh Bajwa today gave a call for 'Rail Roko' on May 2 for one hour in protest against the alleged open loot of farmers in the mandis in the state.
Giving the protest call, Bajwa held the Parkash Singh Badal-led government responsible for plight of farmers.
"The farmers continued to be harassed in the mandis and the procurement was tardy," he said, adding, 'Rail Roko' (train blockade) was the first phase of the 'Jan Andolan' being launched by the party against "anti-people" policies of the Badal government.
"I apologise to the rail commuters in advance for the inconvenience they might face due to this agitation but the issues were much bigger," he added.
The blockade will be from one hour from 12.00 PM to 1.00 PM.
The party demanded immediate lifting of the wheat and release of payment to farmers who Bajwa alleged were facing harassment because of delayed payment.
He demanded bonus on wheat at the rate of Rs 200 per quintal and compensation for the crops damaged due to persistent inclement weather.
He also demanded that crop insurance be implemented and government should pay the premium for the insurance.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had yesterday visited Sirhind, Gobindgarh, and Khanna mandis to extend support to farmers.
