Farmer unions across the state of Punjab will block rail traffic for 48-hours in protest of the state government's "anti-farmer" policies.
The farmers are said to have been sitting in dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner's office since 28 September, and have been demanding higher compensation for their damaged cotton crops, according to PTI.
On 3 October, the Punjab government failed to reach an understanding with the farmers on the same and hence eight anti-government farmer organisations have decided to go ahead with the rail blockade today and tomorrow.
Four trains have been cancelled due to the protest and 12 trains have been diverted, according to NDTV.
Talking about the protest during an interview with Hindustan Times, Sukhdev Singh Kokari, General secretary of the Bhartiya Kisan Union said: "Why shouldn't we protest? As it has now become clear that that government is responsible for the farmer's losses, why is the government hesitating in giving us compensation?"
In Bhatinda, the farmers have been protesting against the government since 17 September, reported The Tribune. While the state government has announced Rs 643-crore as compensation, the offer was rejected by the farmer unions.
Farmers from the Basmati growing Majha region have been demanding an increase in the market price of super fine basmati rice to Rs. 4,500/quintal.
Meanwhile Additional Director General of Law and Order Rohit Chaudhry has said that forces will be deployed across the state to avoid any untoward incidents and to ensure that the rail services aren't disrupted.
The demands of the farmers are as following:
1. Rate of compensation should be increased from Rs.8000 to Rs. 40,000/acre to farmers who have suffered damage to cotton crops.
2. Each farm labourer's family should be awarded a compensation of Rs. 20,000.
3. Compensation for the family of the farmer who committed suicide should be increased from Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh.
4. Farm loans taken by farmers should be waved off.
