In a major show of dissent, activists of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) brought train services to a grinding halt across Punjab on Friday. The widespread protest, staged against the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, saw farmers blocking railway tracks in 19 districts of the state, leading to significant disruption for passengers and authorities alike.
Widespread Disruption and Police Action
The farmers' union had called for a two-hour 'rail roko' from 1 pm to 3 pm at 26 locations. Despite a heavy police deployment and pre-emptive arrests, protesters managed to reach and occupy tracks at several key points. In Dagru village near Moga and at Tanka Wali Basti near Ferozepur, groups succeeded in sitting on the tracks before being removed by police.
KMM leader Sarvan Singh Pandher claimed that while police attempted to foil protests at 18 spots, activists still managed to disrupt rail traffic at multiple locations. He alleged that many farmers were taken into custody before and during the agitation but were later released after the organization's intervention. Pandher accused the Union government of being determined to push the bill through and claimed the Punjab's Aam Aadmi Party government was supporting it by trying to curb protests.
Passenger Inconvenience and Railway Response
The protest action had an immediate and severe impact on rail operations. In the Ferozepur Division alone, sixteen trains were either halted unscheduled, delayed, or diverted to alternate routes. At several stations, trains were forced to stop for extended periods.
Railway authorities swung into action to manage the crisis. They provided stranded passengers with essential amenities like drinking water and refreshments. Continuous announcements were made at stations and control rooms to keep travelers informed about the status of affected services. Officials closely monitored the situation through the Passenger Information System, adhering to safety protocols, and made arrangements to resume normal services as soon as the tracks were cleared.
Protests at Makhu Station
An interesting incident unfolded at Makhu railway station. A group of farmers led by Bhartiya Kisan Union (Krantikari) leader Bibi Baljit Kaur arrived to stage a sit-in on the tracks. However, police prevented them from entering the railway premises. In protest against this police action, the farmers instead sat on a dharna outside the station, raising slogans against both the Punjab and Union governments.
The railway authorities assured the public that full services would be restored once the routes were cleared and urged passengers to stay updated through official channels. The day of protest underscored the continuing tensions between farmer groups and the government over contentious agricultural and utility reforms.
