Punjab on alert as farmer leaders detained before rail blockade; tracks to remain blocked for two hours

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): Farmers in Punjab have announced a rail blockade protest across the state today. Police have taken action ahead of this protest, placing several farmer leaders under house arrest. Police have been deployed outside the home of Dilbag Singh, president of the Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Union, Punjab. Dilbag Singh is leading the rail blockade protest in Ludhiana.

This protest will be held at 26 locations in 19 districts of Punjab. This farmers' rail blockade will last for two hours, from 1 pm to 3 pm. During this time, farmers will sit on the railway tracks.

During the protest, train movement will be stopped at railway stations and level crossings in major districts including Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Patiala, Sangrur, Fazilka, Moga, Bathinda, Muktsar, Malerkotla, Mansa, Ludhiana, Faridkot and Ropar.

The farmers' main demands include repealing the draft Electricity Amendment Bill 2025, eliminating prepaid electricity meters, restoring the old metering system, and opposing the state government's decision to sell public assets. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leaders say these decisions are anti-people, placing additional burdens on farmers, farm laborers, and ordinary consumers.

Farmer organizations have warned that if the government continues to ignore their demands, the movement will be intensified and the entire responsibility for it will be of the government.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, while announcing a major agitation, said that the government is not listening to their demands, and therefore farmers are forced to resort to rail blockades. The farmer leader warned that if the farmers' demands are not met, the protests and agitation will be intensified.