India / Farmers block rail tracks in several states as part of 'rail roko', pics surface

Farmers protesting against farm laws blocked railway tracks in several states including Punjab, Haryana and Bihar as part of their four-hour nationwide 'rail roko' agitation on Thursday. Farmers had earlier announced that trains will be halted across the country between 12 pm and 4 pm on February 18. Railways deployed 20 additional companies of the RPSF in view of agitation.

Vikrant Shekhawat : Feb 18, 2021, 04:23 PM
New Delhi: Farmers unions, who have been protesting against Centre’s new agricultural laws, have called for a four-hour countrywide railway blockade on Thursday. Thousands of farmers were seen blocking rail tracks and stopping trains across several states, especially in Punjab.

Many women also joined the mass demonstration at rail tracks to demand a complete rollback of three farm legislation enacted by the Centre in September last year. The protesters have vowed to intensify their agitation and mobilise more farmers for support as they demanded that the government must immediately resolve the issues of peasants.

The police and railway personnel have heightened security on the tracks and stations so as to prevent any untoward event. An additional 20 companies of the Railway Protection Special Force (RPF) have been deployed across the country.