Angry farmers clog tracks, train services hit

Numbers of farmers under the banner of the Kisan Sangarsh Committee (Satnam Singh Pannu group) blocked rail tracks near Jandiala, sending train traffic out of gear. They were protesting slow progress of wheat procurement in grain markets.

Consequently, trains such as the Amritsar-Nanded and Amritsar-Chandigarh Intercity Express weekly train were cancelled and the Amritsar-New Delhi Shatabdi Express, Jammu Tawi-Muri Express, Chhattisgarh Express and the Shan-e-Punjab was delayed by several hours.

The farmers managed to give the police a slip to reach the rail tracks even as the latter had put up nakas to curb their bid to block rail traffic. The rail barricade that started at 12.30 pm continued till the entering of this report.

While there were long lines of passengers outside the inquiry counters at the Amritsar railway station, nearly all the platforms were full to capacity as the rail blockade left thousands of passengers abandoned. Three rounds of talks between the administration officials and the protesters brought in no consequence.

Tarn Taran Deputy Commissioner BS Dhaliwal said the protesters were demanding that even damaged wheat was also bought, which was not agreeable. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said they had made efforts to pacify the disturbing farmers, but the latter were adamant on their demands.