Allow goods trains first, will think over passenger trains later: Punjab farmers

Condemning BJP-led central government for its “stubborn” attitude, various Punjab farmers' bodies on Wednesday said if Centre starts running goods trains in state, y will think of allowing passenger trains. dressing media after a meeting here, farmer leers insisted y will continue with ir agitation against new farm laws.

“ Centre has opted a stubborn attitude towards Punjab and its farmers, trers and labourers and we condemn central government's attitude,” said farmer leer Ruldu Singh.

He said it h been nearly a month since goods train service has been stopped in state.

“ Central government should run (goods) trains first and n we will hold an emergency meeting in which we could think over passenger trains,” said Punjab Kisan Union Singh.

“We will think over passenger trains if Centre allows goods trains,” he asserted.

Railways h declined to resume goods train operation in Punjab, saying it would eir operate both freight and passenger trains or ne.

Farmers held a meeting here days after a meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce Som Prakash in Delhi that remained inconclusive.

Singh said farmers, trers and labourers were versely affected because of Centre's “stubborn” attitude.

He furr said representatives of 30 farmers' organisations were rey to go to Delhi by tractors for holding a protest on vember 26 and 27 against new farm laws.

“Lakhs of our farmers will go (to Delhi) by tractors,” he said.

Asked that y were denied permission for holding a protest in Delhi on account of coronavirus, he described it as an “excuse.” “y give permission or t, we are fully prepared to go to Delhi,” he said.

A 'Delhi Chalo' protest call has been given by All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), a body of more than 200 farmers' organisations across country.

To ar question, he said farmers have been holding protests outside residences of several BJP leers in state.

Asked wher y will gherao BJP president J P Nda if he comes to Punjab, Singh said y will definitely do so.

Nda will digitally inaugurate 10 district offices of party on vember 19 and he would soon undertake a three-day tour to state to take stock of preparations and to galvanise party workers for 2022 Punjab assembly polls, BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh h said on vember 16.

Farmers in Punjab have expressed apprehension that new farm laws would pave way for dismantling of minimum support price system, leaving m at "mercy" of big corporates.

y have been demanding that se new laws should be repealed.

Farmers h resorted to 'rail roko' agitation and std sit-ins outside some shopping malls, toll plazas and outside residences of BJP leers.