Rail Roko : Alert in UP, Haryana and Punjab

New Delhi : Farmers protesting against the agriculture bill are going to hold a ‘Rail Roko’ protest today. Trains will be stopped for about four hours across the country. Security has been increased in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana.

The Uttar Pradesh government has alerted all agencies after the joint farmers struggle committee called for a stoppage of the train from 12 noon to 4 pm. The Railway Ministry has put the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) on high alert. Senior officials are examining railway stations and identifying places from which there is a possibility of some disturbance. However, farmer leaders have been warned that if they try to stop the trains, legal action will be taken against them.

GRP SP Mohammad Mushtaq in Agra said, “People who do not have a confirmed ticket will not be allowed to enter inside the railway stations. Also on Thursday, only the gate will remain operational for entry and exit, besides all GRP stations have been kept on alert.”

It is also feared that the protesting farmers can board the trains with tickets and then stop the train outside the stations. Regarding this, RPF Additional Commandant Dinesh Kumar said, “We have made special arrangements to prevent the protesters from occupying the railway tracks. Forces have been deployed at all railway stations. We will not let the movement of trains affect, trict legal action will be taken against those who try to obstruct.”

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rajendra Malik has said, “As per the schedule, we will stop trains for four hours from 12 noon to 4 pm on Thursday. We will ensure that there is no loss to railway property and passengers. We will give the passengers drinking water and food packets. As far as legal action is concerned, we are not afraid of it and are ready to go to jail.”