11 trains cancelled as farmers block railway tracks near Punjab's Shambhu border

11 trains cancelled as farmers block railway tracks near Punjab’s Shambhu border

At least 11 trains were cancelled, and 24 others were affected on Wednesday as farmer unions blocked railway tracks at Shambhu border in Patiala district of Punjab, demanding the release of three farmer activists who were arrested recently.

The railway authorities diverted the routes of various trains besides shortening some of the routes, keeping in view the blockade at the Shambhu station.

Farmer unions have been demanding the release of three of their activists — Anish Khatkar, Navdeep Singh Jalveda and Gurkirat Singh.

While Anish Khatkar is lodged in Punjab’s Jind jail, the other two are incarcerated in Ambala Central Jail.

“We have been compelled to block the railway track as the authorities did not meet the deadline to release the three activists. Our protest will continue till they are released,” farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said.

There was heavy police deployment at two points at Shambhu powder. However, the protesting farmers removed the barricading on the road leading to the railway station before reaching the tracks.

The Punjab Police also deployed water cannons, but did not use them to deter the agitating farmers from entering the railway station.

The police tried to stop the protesters by deploying female cops, but they failed as the farmers outnumbered them.

The protesters entered the railway station and raised a tent in the middle of the railway track.

Farmer leader Manjit Singh Rai told India Today that the Punjab and Haryana officials had assured that the three farmers would be released.

The farmers’ unions, under the banner of Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM non-political), had given a deadline of April 16 to release the activists.

The Sayunkt Kisan Morcha (non-political) had launched its protest at Shambhu border on February 13, 2024 to press for various demands, including a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP), farm-loan waivers, release of farmers arrested during earlier protests, among others.