'Rail Roko': Farmers block railway tracks in Punjab; Haryana deploys RAF

The ‘Rail Roko’ agitation is being staged to protest against the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. The farmers are demanding the Union Minister, whose son is the main accused in the case, to be removed from post of minister of state for home affairs.

Farmers on Monday blocked railway tracks in some parts of Punjab and Haryana as they staged a 'Rail Roko' agitation, demanding the removal of Union Minister Ajay Mishra, whose son is the main accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. "As of now, 30 locations are affected and 8 trains regulated in the Northern Railway zone," a spokesperson of the Northern Railway said as per ANI report.

Farmers blocked railway tracks at railway station Amritsar on Monday. (HT Photo)

Click here for live updates on ‘Rail Roko' stir

In Punjab, protesting farmers started blocking four sections at the Ferozpur railway division from 5.15 am onwards, an official spokesperson informed. In Haryana as well, farmers squatted on the railway tracks at Bahadurgarh to mark their protest over the violence. Authorities have deployed personnel of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) at the Sonipat railway station to maintain security.

Meanwhile, the police in Uttar Pradesh have imposed section 144 of the CrPC, which prohibits a gathering of four people in an area. The police have also warned of strict action against those who participate in the agitation. Those found violating the rule or try to "disrupt normalcy will be booked under the National Security Act," the police announced earlier in the day.

The deceased in the incident included four farmers and a journalist.