Indian farmers announce to hold 'Rail Roko' protest against new agricultural laws
Indian farmers announce to hold 'Rail Roko' protest against new agricultural laws
NEW DELHI (Dunya News/AFP) – The Indian Railways has deployed 20 additional companies of the Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) as farmers set to hold "rail roko" protest against the new agricultural laws.
Farmer unions committee Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has announced to block rail system, demanding to repeal the new law. “Rail blockade will be held across the country from 12 pm to 4 pm”, SKM representative said.
Tens of thousands of farmers have been camping on the outskirts of Delhi since November calling for a repeal of the reforms that free up farm produce markets.
The farmers say the changes mean the crucial agriculture industry will be taken over by major conglomerates.
After the troubles in the capital on January 26, farmers unions had vowed that any new action would be peaceful.
Outside of Delhi major police deployments were ordered in the key farm states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.
"There is an adequate deployment of force at sensitive locations" around Delhi, Uttar Pradesh police spokesman Atul Srivastava told AFP. "We will ensure there is no law and order issue."
