Punjab farmers to stop trains at 52 places for 3 hours today

Officials say over 20 trains under Ambala Division to be impacted

- HT Correspondent

KARNAL/PATIALA: Rail services will be impacted in the state, on Wednesday, as protesting farmer unions will hold a state-wide 'Rail Roko' protest demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) and other demands.

The protest is said to be held at 52 locations in 23 districts of the Punjab. Farmers will stage a sit-in on railway tracks for three hours - 12 to 3 PM.

The 'rail roko' is likely to have an impact on over 20 passenger trains under the Ambala division, officials said on Tuesday.

Convener of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), Sarwan Singh Pandher, while talking to HT, said that the people of Punjab should come out in large numbers to extend their support to the ongoing farmer agitation.

They should participate in the Rail Roko protest so as to make it a people's movement, he added.

"Sit-in protests will be only on railway crossings and stations. It will be a peaceful protest for three hours. We want to give a message to the Union government, which is not willing to hold talks with the farmer unions, that ongoing protest has already turned into a people's agitation," said Pandher.

Mandeep Singh Bhatia, divisional railway manager, Ambala railway division said that the route diversion will be decided on the same day according to the points blocked.

"Trains will be regulated at major stations to ensure catering and drinking arrangements.

Over 20 trains are likely to be impacted on the day. A help desk will be set up in the morning to help the passengers," he added.