Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Farmers begin 'Rail Roko' protest across Punjab; train services disrupted

Farmers in Punjab initiated a three-hour 'Rail Roko' protest on Wednesday, demanding a legally binding minimum support price (MSP) for crops. The protest, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, affected key locations including Moga, Faridkot, and Mohali. Protests also continued at Shambhu and Khanauri borders, where farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal is on a hunger strike. The demands include a legal guarantee on MSP, debt waiver, pension for farmers, withdrawal of police cases, and compensation for victims of previous agitations.

Due to the ongoing farmers' 'Rail Roko' protest, several trains have been halted at different stations across Punjab, with a few trains partially cancelled.

Farmers have started the 'Rail Roko' agitation at three railway stations in Bathinda, Rampura, and Maur

Farmers at Khanauri border, led by Sarwan Singh Pandher, rejected the Supreme Court-appointed committee, citing its failure to resolve issues on time. Pandher emphasized that any future talks would only be with the central government. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, condemned the committee’s insensitivity towards his ongoing hunger strike and the plight of injured farmers. He confirmed that both farmer unions had decided not to meet the committee and insisted that any discussions on their demands would occur directly with the central government.

After Congress MP Manickam Tagore, Aam Aadmi Party MP from Punjab, Malvinder Singh Kang, moved an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha to discuss the deteriorating health condition of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who completed 22 days of fasting at Khanauri, situated at the Punjab and Haryana border.

Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher announced plans for larger protests, including a "Rail Roko Andolan" today from 12 noon to 3 pm, where trains across Punjab will be stopped. Pandher urged Punjabis to participate at all rail crossings and stations, with support from figures like singer Guru Randhawa. He highlighted the severe impact on farmers, stating that around 50 farmer laborers commit suicide daily and that farmers suffered massive financial losses—Rs 15 lakh crore in 2022 and Rs 8.5 lakh crore in 2023 due to not receiving MSP. Pandher also declared that BJP officials would be barred from visiting Punjab, calling for peaceful protests against them.

The Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Food Processing has recommended the implementation of a legally binding Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, amid ongoing farmer protests seeking a legal guarantee for MSP and debt relief. In its first report presented to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the committee, chaired by Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi, also urged the introduction of a debt waiver scheme for farmers and farm laborers, addressing rising farmer suicides linked to agricultural distress. Additionally, the report suggested renaming the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to include farm laborers, calling it the Ministry of Agriculture, Farmers, and Farm Laborers Welfare.

Farmers, including representatives from four states, held ameeting in Jind district. During the meeting, Shivkumar Kakka, a farmer leader from National Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh in Madhya Pradesh, said if the govt does not engage in talks with fasting Jagjit Singh Dallewal, the movement will spread beyond Punjab and Haryana to the entire country. He emphasised that all farmer organisations are united on the issue of minimum support price (MSP). The meeting was attended by many farmer leaders, including KV Biju from Kerala, Sachin Mahapatra from Odisha, and Manish Raja from Bundelkhand, along with many others from Haryana. After the meeting, while addressing media persons, Shivkumar Kakka said that while farmer organisations may differ ideologically, they are united on the MSP issue. Vijender Kumar

Farmers demand legal MSP guarantees, debt waivers, pensions, withdrawal of police cases, and justice for Lakhimpur Kheri victims among other issues.

Amid growing concerns, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha advanced its meeting to Wednesday. The umbrella body is expected to decide on extending support to the ongoing protests led by farmer forums demanding legal MSP and other rights.

Dallewal accused the committee of insensitivity and delays, questioning its lack of efforts to negotiate with the Centre or visit protest sites at Khanauri and Shambhu borders.

Citing health issues and injured protesters, Jagjit Singh Dallewal informed the Supreme Court-appointed committee that farmers won’t attend the December 18 meeting. Talks, he stated, would be held only with the central government.

Pandher blamed the central government for neglecting farmer demands, warning of consequences if Jagjit Singh Dallewal's health deteriorates further during his hunger strike.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced a three-hour ‘Rail Roko’ protest from 12 noon to 3 PM across Punjab, urging residents to join and support the farmers' movement.