Farmers in Punjab Halt Train Services in Statewide 'Rail Roko' Protest

The three-hour demonstration disrupted over 60 train routes as farmers demanded a legal guarantee for minimum support prices and other reforms.

Farmers across Punjab staged a three-hour 'Rail Roko' protest on December 18, blocking train routes in over 70 locations across all 23 districts of the state.
The protest, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, aimed to push for demands including a legally guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) for crops and debt waivers.
The agitation disrupted train services in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, with 21 trains canceled and 39 rescheduled, affecting thousands of passengers.
Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal remains on a hunger strike for the 22nd day, with his health reportedly critical, as part of the broader movement that has lasted over 300 days.
Farmers have announced a statewide 'Punjab Bandh' on December 30 to intensify their demands, which also include pensions for farmers, justice for victims of past protests, and compensation for families of deceased farmers.