The ongoing farmers’ protest on the Ambala-Amritsar route has led to the cancellation of 54 trains on Saturday, causing significant disruptions to rail services. The protest, centered at the Shambhu railway station in Punjab’s Patiala district, entered its fourth day with farmers refusing to budge until their demands are met.
According to officials, the protest has been sparked by the arrest of three farmers by the Haryana Police, and the demonstrators are demanding their immediate release. The railway authorities confirmed that as many as 54 trains had to be cancelled on Saturday alone due to the protest, which has now affected the movement of a total of 380 trains over the last three days. Passengers have been left inconvenienced by the disruptions caused by the protest.
The farmers, organized under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), have been staging their protest at the Shambhu railway station. The protest initially began as a demand for the release of the arrested farmers but has since evolved into a broader movement.
Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher emphasized that the protest would continue until the three farmers are released. This demonstration is part of the larger ‘Delhi Chalo’ march, led by SKM and KMM, aimed at pressuring the government to fulfill their demands, including a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops.
The farmers have been stationed at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, when their march towards Delhi was halted by security forces. Despite facing various challenges, including adverse weather conditions and clashes with law enforcement, the farmers remain steadfast in their resolve.
The cancellation of trains along the Ambala-Amritsar route underscores the significant impact the protests are having on transportation and commerce in the region. Railway officials are working to minimize disruptions and restore normalcy to rail services, but the situation remains tense as farmers continue their agitation.
The standoff between the farmers and the government shows no signs of abating, with both sides digging in their heels. As negotiations stall, the farmers’ protest remains a focal point of dissent and demands for agrarian reform in India. The coming days are crucial as the movement gains momentum, posing challenges for authorities and raising questions about the future of agricultural policies in the country.
