Amid deadlock, farmers give call for 'Punjab Bandh' on December 30

As the deadlock persists between the Centre and protesting farmers over various demands, the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) on Wednesday gave a call for ‘Punjab Bandh’ on December 30.

Train services in Punjab were affected as farmers, who are protesting to press the Centre for accepting their demands, including a legally binding minimum support price for crops, squatted on rail tracks as part of the three-hour 'Rail Roko' protest on Wednesday.

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said farmers had squatted on rail tracks at many places from noon to 3 pm.

The farmers alleged that the Centre is determined to sell the country's agriculture and public institutions to corporate houses.

“A call for a Punjab Bandh is being given for December 30, against the atrocities of the Central government. Emergency services will remain operational,” reads a statement released by the farmer unions.

Meanwhile, farmer Ranjit Singh reportedly died at Shambhu border amid farmers' protest by consuming a poisonous substance, farmer leaders said.

The farmers demanded Rs 25 lakh aid for the deceased farmer’s family, complete debt waiver, and a government job for a family member.

For the past three weeks, Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands.

A “jatha” (group) of 101 farmers made three attempts to enter Delhi on foot on December 6, December 8 and again on December 14. Haryana security personnel did not allow them to proceed.