Farmers Intensify Protests with Rail Blockade Call Amid Clashes with Police

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Sarwan Singh Pandher

Key Highlights:

  • Farmers demand a Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantee law, debt relief, and accountability from opposition leaders.
  • Haryana Police blocks 101 farmers heading to Delhi from the Shambhu border; tear gas used to disperse protesters, injuring over 40.
  • Sarwan Singh Pandher announces a Punjab-wide rail blockade on December 18, with protests planned at 23 locations from 12 PM to 3 PM.
  • Jagjit Singh Dallewal continues a 43-day hunger strike, putting pressure on farmer organizations and government bodies.
  • Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian to meet farmer organizations on December 19 to discuss their demands.

Chandigarh: The farmers’ agitation for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) and debt relief has entered a critical phase, with leaders calling for statewide protests in Punjab. On December 16, a group of 101 farmers from the Shambhu border attempted to march towards Delhi but were stopped by Haryana Police. The clash resulted in the use of tear gas, leaving more than 40 farmers injured.

Sarwan Singh Pandher Calls for Rail Roko in Punjab

In response to the police action, Sarwan Singh Pandher, leader of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, has announced a Punjab-wide rail blockade on December 18. He has urged the people of Punjab to join the movement en masse, stating that trains will be stopped at 23 locations across the state from 12 PM to 3 PM.

Pandher emphasized the central government’s responsibility to implement the MSP guarantee law and address farmer and laborer debts. He criticized opposition parties for their silence on farmer issues in Parliament and questioned former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s contributions to the farmers’ cause.

Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s Hunger Strike Intensifies Movement

Meanwhile, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike in Khanauri since November 4, has written to the Supreme Court-appointed committee chairperson. Dallewal, now on the 43rd day of his protest, highlighted the urgency of addressing farmers’ demands. His strike has also increased pressure on other farmer organizations, with some reconsidering their earlier decision to stay away from the United Kisan Morcha (non-political).

Upcoming Discussions with the Government

The central government faces growing pressure to address the farmers’ demands. On December 19, Punjab’s Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian is set to meet with farmer organizations. The meeting will also include discussions on the Central Government’s draft for crop marketing, as proposed by farmer leader Rajewal.

Sarwan Singh Pandher

Farmers’ Unity in Focus

Despite the protests, unity among farmer organizations remains a challenge. While the United Kisan Morcha (non-political) is leading the agitation, 32 other farmer groups have so far kept their distance. However, Dallewal’s hunger strike and the rail blockade call could serve as rallying points to consolidate their efforts.

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