Punjab: Farmers suspend ‘Rail Roko’ protest at Shambhu railway station | India News

CHANDIGARH: Farmers announced the suspension of their month-long ‘rail roko’ at Shambhu railway station in Patiala and said they will now ‘gherao’ the residences of BJP leaders in Punjab and Haryana to continue their protest. Since April 17, farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been squatting on a railway track at Shambhu railway station demanding the release of three farmers who were arrested by the Haryana police during the demonstrations in Delhi Chalo ‘Protests at the Shambu border.

The SKM (Non-Political) and the KMM are at the forefront of farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ march to pressure the central government over their demands for a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, among other things.

The protesting farmers are still at Shambhu and Khanauri border points after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces on February 13.

On Monday, farmer leader Surjit Singh Phool said that the ‘Rail Roko’ agitation in Patiala would be called off.

They have decided to “gherao” the residences of BJP leaders in Punjab and Haryana in the coming days to press for the release of the three farmers, he said.

Phool also said that they have decided to hold conferences on May 22 when the ongoing unrest in Shambhu, Khanauri, Dabwali and Ratanpura completes 100 days.

The cessation of the agitation could now free up the railway line for the people of the area.