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Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Farmers begin 'Rail Roko' protest across Punjab; train services disrupted

THE TIMES OF INDIA | Dec 18, 2024, 17:49:25 IST

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Farmers begin 'Rail Roko' protest across Punjab; train services disrupted

Punjab’s farmer protests intensified as Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s hunger strike reached its 22nd day, with his health deteriorating dangerously. Medical experts warned of the possibility of cardiac arrest, as Dallewal continues his fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border, demanding legal guarantees on Minimum Support Price (MSP) and justice for injured farmers. Farmer forums, including Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, declined the Supreme Court-appointed committee’s meeting scheduled for December 18, citing dissatisfaction with its efforts.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced a ‘Rail Roko’ protest across Punjab on Wednesday, urging citizens to halt train services from 12 to 3 PM in solidarity. “Punjabis need to fight as one,” Pandher stated, emphasizing the central government’s responsibility for resolving the deadlock.

Support has poured in for Dallewal, with Punjabi singers and MPs like Manickam Tagore advocating for farmers’ demands. The Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar urged MPs from Punjab and Haryana to raise these issues in Parliament. Meanwhile, SKM advanced its meeting to Wednesday to discuss backing the protesting forums and the leader’s demands.

The agitation, which has crossed 309 days, highlights unresolved grievances including debt waivers, farmer pensions, and justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Dallewal’s condition and growing public support have intensified the pressure on the central government to act swiftly. Farmers remain steadfast, vowing to engage in dialogue only with the central government regarding their demands.

17:49 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: 'The real question is why leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s health is deteriorating?' ask farmers

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16:53 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Court doors always open to suggestion, demand: SC after Punjab says farmers refusing talks

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that its doors remain open to suggestions or demands from protesting farmers, either directly or through authorized representatives.

This comes after the Punjab government informed the court about its ongoing but unsuccessful attempts to mediate with Jagjit Singh Dallewal, a farmer leader on an indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border, and other protesting farmers.

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12:46 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Trains halted, some partially cancelled in Punjab

Due to the ongoing farmers' 'Rail Roko' protest, several trains have been halted at different stations across Punjab, with a few trains partially cancelled.

12:38 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Agitated farmers on railway tracks

12:21 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Farmers sit on tracks amid ongoing 'Rail Roko' agitation

12:14 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Farmers' block tracks in Mohali

— PTI_News (@PTI_News)

12:13 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Farmers' begin 'Rail Roko' in Bathinda

Farmers have started the 'Rail Roko' agitation at three railway stations in Bathinda, Rampura, and Maur

11:35 (IST) Dec 18

If talks happen, they will be with central government: Sarwan Singh Pandher after farmers reject SC committee

Farmers at Khanauri border, led by Sarwan Singh Pandher, rejected the Supreme Court-appointed committee, citing its failure to resolve issues on time. Pandher emphasized that any future talks would only be with the central government. Jagjit Singh Dallewal, convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, condemned the committee’s insensitivity towards his ongoing hunger strike and the plight of injured farmers. He confirmed that both farmer unions had decided not to meet the committee and insisted that any discussions on their demands would occur directly with the central government.

11:13 (IST) Dec 18

AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang moves adjournment motion over health condition of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal

After Congress MP Manickam Tagore, Aam Aadmi Party MP from Punjab, Malvinder Singh Kang, moved an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha to discuss the deteriorating health condition of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who completed 22 days of fasting at Khanauri, situated at the Punjab and Haryana border.

10:13 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Samyukta Kisan Morcha, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha reject committee talks

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10:10 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Getting ready for bigger protests, will announce today or tomorrow, says Sarwan Singh Pandher

Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher announced plans for larger protests, including a "Rail Roko Andolan" today from 12 noon to 3 pm, where trains across Punjab will be stopped. Pandher urged Punjabis to participate at all rail crossings and stations, with support from figures like singer Guru Randhawa. He highlighted the severe impact on farmers, stating that around 50 farmer laborers commit suicide daily and that farmers suffered massive financial losses—Rs 15 lakh crore in 2022 and Rs 8.5 lakh crore in 2023 due to not receiving MSP. Pandher also declared that BJP officials would be barred from visiting Punjab, calling for peaceful protests against them.

10:04 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Kang demands debate on Dallewal’s hunger strike

— ANI (@ANI)

09:47 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Parliament panel bats for legal guarantee of MSP for farmers

The Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Food Processing has recommended the implementation of a legally binding Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, amid ongoing farmer protests seeking a legal guarantee for MSP and debt relief. In its first report presented to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the committee, chaired by Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi, also urged the introduction of a debt waiver scheme for farmers and farm laborers, addressing rising farmer suicides linked to agricultural distress. Additionally, the report suggested renaming the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to include farm laborers, calling it the Ministry of Agriculture, Farmers, and Farm Laborers Welfare.

09:10 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Calls for peaceful BJP boycott

— ANI (@ANI)

08:34 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Hold talks soon, or movement will spread nationwide, says Farmer leaders

Farmers, including representatives from four states, held ameeting in Jind district. During the meeting, Shivkumar Kakka, a farmer leader from National Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh in Madhya Pradesh, said if the govt does not engage in talks with fasting Jagjit Singh Dallewal, the movement will spread beyond Punjab and Haryana to the entire country. He emphasised that all farmer organisations are united on the issue of minimum support price (MSP). The meeting was attended by many farmer leaders, including KV Biju from Kerala, Sachin Mahapatra from Odisha, and Manish Raja from Bundelkhand, along with many others from Haryana. After the meeting, while addressing media persons, Shivkumar Kakka said that while farmer organisations may differ ideologically, they are united on the MSP issue. Vijender Kumar

08:21 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Demands for MSP, debt waiver persist

Farmers demand legal MSP guarantees, debt waivers, pensions, withdrawal of police cases, and justice for Lakhimpur Kheri victims among other issues.

08:20 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: SKM advances meeting to discuss support for Dallewal

Amid growing concerns, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha advanced its meeting to Wednesday. The umbrella body is expected to decide on extending support to the ongoing protests led by farmer forums demanding legal MSP and other rights.

08:19 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Dallewal criticizes panel for inaction

Dallewal accused the committee of insensitivity and delays, questioning its lack of efforts to negotiate with the Centre or visit protest sites at Khanauri and Shambhu borders.

08:19 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Farmers decline SC panel meeting in Panchkula

Citing health issues and injured protesters, Jagjit Singh Dallewal informed the Supreme Court-appointed committee that farmers won’t attend the December 18 meeting. Talks, he stated, would be held only with the central government.

08:18 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Dallewal's health critical, warns Pandher

Pandher blamed the central government for neglecting farmer demands, warning of consequences if Jagjit Singh Dallewal's health deteriorates further during his hunger strike.

08:18 (IST) Dec 18

Farmers' Protest Live Updates: Farmers to halt trains in Punjab today

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced a three-hour ‘Rail Roko’ protest from 12 noon to 3 PM across Punjab, urging residents to join and support the farmers' movement.

Punjab’s farmer protests gained momentum as Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s fast-unto-death reached 22 days, with his health in critical condition. Farmer forums rejected the Supreme Court-appointed committee’s December 18 meeting, demanding direct talks with the central government. Meanwhile, Sarwan Singh Pandher called for a three-hour ‘Rail Roko’ protest across Punjab on Wednesday. Amid mounting pressure, SKM advanced its meeting to discuss supporting the agitation, which demands MSP guarantees, debt waivers, and justice for injured farmers. With public and political support growing, the protests highlight unresolved grievances, intensifying pressure on the central government to act.

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