Several farmers and their leaders were detained by police at many places in Punjab in view of their two-hour ‘Rail roko’ protest on Friday in support of various demands.
At many places, farmers were detained before they could squat on the rail tracks during the protest. However, they were released later.
The farmers are opposing the Centre’s draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, terming it “anti-farmer” while contending that it would lead to privatisation and centralisation of the Indian power system.
Farmers’ outfit Kisan Mazdoor Morcha had announced a statewide two-hour ‘Rail roko’ protest for Friday and called for a symbolic halt of train services from 1 pm to 3 pm at 26 locations in 19 of the 23 districts in the state.
As part of the call, the farmers held protests at multiple locations, though at several places they were detained by the police and not allowed to block the rail tracks.