The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), a prominent coalition of farmers and laborers, has declared a major statewide agitation in Punjab. The organization has called for a rail roko (rail blockade) protest across the entire state on Thursday, December 5. This decisive action is aimed at amplifying their long-standing demands from the central government.
Core Demands Behind the Agitation
The protest is not an isolated event but part of a sustained movement. Leaders from the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have articulated a clear set of demands that form the bedrock of their struggle. The primary focus remains on securing a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops, a promise they assert was made by the government during previous protests but remains unfulfilled.
Other critical demands include a complete waiver of farm debts and the withdrawal of all police cases filed against farmers during earlier rounds of agitation. The morcha also seeks justice for the victims of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, where several farmers lost their lives. The decision to escalate to a rail roko stems from the perception that their grievances are being ignored, leaving them with no alternative but to intensify their protest.
Logistics and Expected Impact
The rail roko is scheduled to commence at 12:00 PM on December 5 and continue until 4:00 PM. During this four-hour window, protesters plan to block railway tracks at multiple key locations throughout Punjab. This strategic timing is intended to cause significant disruption to rail traffic, thereby drawing national attention to their plight.
While the protest is planned to be peaceful, authorities and railway officials are likely to be on high alert. The blockade is expected to disrupt the schedules of numerous passenger and freight trains, potentially affecting thousands of commuters and the movement of goods. Travelers planning journeys through or from Punjab on that day are strongly advised to check with Indian Railways for updates and consider alternative arrangements.
Broader Context and Future Course
This announcement places the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha at the forefront of the ongoing farmer's movement in North India. The December 5 protest is seen as a significant pressure tactic ahead of the winter session of Parliament. The morcha has indicated that this rail roko is a precursor to a larger plan: a potential march to the national capital, Delhi, if their demands continue to be unmet.
The call for a statewide action underscores the widespread support the movement commands within Punjab. It signals a revival of large-scale agrarian protests and sets the stage for a possible confrontation with the authorities if a political resolution is not reached. All eyes will now be on the government's response in the days leading up to December 5, as the state braces for another wave of mass mobilization.
