KMSC’s ‘Rail Roko’ Protest Causes Cancellation of 10 Trains; Farmers Demand Compensation for Land Acquisition

A farmers' protest called a 'rail roko' was organized by Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) in Punjab on Wednesday in support of numerous demands, including fair compensation for the acquisition of land for road projects and the payment of outstanding sugarcane dues. KMSC demonstrated at the Gurdaspur Railway Station.

The disruption caused the cancellation of 10 trains, including those from Verka to Pathankot and Pathankot to Amritsar, according to railway authorities. In addition, they claimed that six trains between Pathankot and Verka, Amritsar and Pathankot, and Pathankot and Old Delhi had brief stops at Dinanagar, Amritsar, and Dhariwal.

At least four trains were rerouted via Jalandhar City, Mukerian-Pathankot, Pathankot-Mukerian-Jalandhar Cantt, and these routes.

According to KMSC general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher, the union is just asking for compensation for the property that has been taken over for road projects.

The Swaminathan Commission report's recommended crop rates were also demanded, as were payments for outstanding sugarcane debts and farm debt.

It should be recalled that KMSC previously organized month-long dharnas at various toll booths from December 15, 2022, to January 15, 2023, in an effort to demand fair toll prices.

In November and December of last year, KMSC met with the deputy commissioners of several districts, including Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, etc., to discuss their outstanding requests. In the first week of December, it also met with Punjab Farm Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal.