The farmers in Punjab have decided to lift their train blockade from Monday – November 23, to allow all goods and passenger trains, in response to the appeal by Punjab chief minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh at a meeting with the Kisan Unions.
Soon after the announcement, the CM urged the central government to reciprocate by restoring all train services in the state and also to hold further talks with the farmer representatives to resolve the crisis over the Farm Laws.
The decision to lift the rail blockade was announced by Bharti Kissan Union (Rajewal) President Balbir Singh Rajewal. Rajewal, however, warned of resumption of blockade if the central government fails to hold talks with the farmers’ representatives in the next 15 days to address their concerns on the Farm Laws. The farmer leaders urged all political parties in Punjab to get together to support them in their fight against the central agricultural legislations instead of politicising the issue.
Thanking the Kisan Unions for accepting his request, the CM assured the farmer leaders that he would meet the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister soon to press for their demands. Captain Amarinder also promised the farmer representatives that he will look into their other demands, including those relating to sugarcane price hike and clearance of dues, as well as withdrawal of FIRs registered in stubble burning cases. He said he would hold talks with them on these issues within the next one week and will also set up a committee of officers to discuss the matter.
