RailEnquiry

CHANDIGARH: Protesting FDI in retail and hike in diesel prices, farmers from 17 organizations, including factions of BKU, on Friday blocked rail and road traffic at several places in Punjab for about three hours.Train and public transport commuters had to face hardships for a few hours in the afternoon due to blockades by farmers. The protest on a call given by the coordination committee of farmers and labourers went off peacefully and no incident of violence was reported.At Raya town, around 40km from Amritsar, farmers squatted on the Amritsar-Delhi railway track, police said.They blocked traffic near Attari border on the national highway at Rajasansi airport road and blocked the national highway at Raya. The farmers, led by Kisan Sangrash Committee, also demanded that the Punjab government should fulfill its promises which were made before Assembly elections.The farmers also demanded compensation for losses caused by drought. "We demand Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 per acre compensation to drought-hit farmers depending on the circumstances, besides Rs 10,000 compensation per labourer working in the village," the farmers' organizations said.Kisan Morcha Bharatiya Janata Party took out a massive protest march on the nationwide call in favour of farmers' rights led by national president O P Dhankar and Punjab BJP president Ashwani Sharma at Chandigarh on Friday.

Signifying the economic crisis they are reeling under, the farmers removed their shirts and kurtas and in semi-nude state took out procession on the streets of capital Chandigarh and submitted memorandums to the governors of Punjab and Haryana. Dhankar demanded that the Swaminathan formula be applied and MSP of wheat should be announced at Rs 2100 per quintal.

In Patiala, the farmers staged demonstrations at Pasiana, Phaganmara and on Nabha-Bhadson road.

"The FDI will kill Punjab farmers. We would not allow it at any cost," said Jagmohan Singh from Bharti Kisan Union.

In Ferozepur, hundreds of farmers laid siege to railway tracks and blocked traffic for more than four hours.

Union leaders criticized the Centre for hiking diesel price and allowing FDI in retail. The unions also criticized Punjab government for levying VAT on farm produces. Railway traffic on Ferozepur-Bhatinda, Ferozepur-Ludhiana, Ferozepur-Jalandhar and Ferozepur-Fazilka sections remained suspended from 1pm to 4 pm.

Farmers staged demonstrations at Barnala, Sangrur and Mansa.