The railways has deployed 20 additional companies of the Railway Protection Special Force across the country with focus on Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal ahead of the four-hour rail roko protest called as part of the farmers’ agitation against the three farm laws passed in September. Here is all you need to know about the protest:
• The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farmer unions spearheading the protest, last week announced the rail blockade to press for its demand to repeal the legislation.
• Director-General, Railway Protection Force, Arun Kumar on Wednesday appealed for peace and said they will liaison with district administrations and have a control room to monitor the protest.
• He said states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal will be their focus.
• The SKM had said that the rail blockade will be held across the country from 12pm to 4pm.
Also Read | Farmers call for 4-hour nationwide rail roko protest, railways steps up security
• Northern railways is expecting the rail roko to be concentrated in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.
{{/usCountry}}• Northern railways is expecting the rail roko to be concentrated in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.
{{/usCountry}}• No decision was immediately taken on train movement in the backdrop of the blockade.
• Officials said once they get a better picture of the status of the protests and have identified sensitive spots, they will put in place a plan of action.
• They have identified around 80 trains which run through potentially sensitive areas and most of them would have crossed them before 12pm.
• Railway unions, which had earlier supported the farmers’ movement, have distanced themselves from the rail roko protest.
• The SKM on Wednesday accused the Centre of trying to “counter and destroy” the ‘ movement and said it has appealed for peaceful protests during the rail roko.