Chandigarh: Farmers’ protests against electricity reforms and land-related policies caused major disruption across Punjab on Saturday, as demonstrators blocked railway tracks in multiple districts, resulting in confrontations with police, detentions, and widespread train cancellations.
Railway Tracks Blocked Across Key Districts
Large groups of farmers gathered on tracks in Ferozepur, Jalandhar, and Amritsar, staging sit-ins from early morning. In Ferozepur, the situation grew tense when police tried to clear the tracks, leading to a brief scuffle. In Ludhiana and Jalandhar, authorities detained several farmers attempting to move toward major railway junctions.
In Amritsar’s Devidas Puri area, hundreds of farmers occupied the tracks, forcing the cancellation of several trains. Ahead of the statewide “rail roko,” Punjab Police carried out early morning raids on Friday and placed several union leaders under house arrest. Those restricted included BKU leaders Dilbagh Singh, Makhan Singh, and Sukhdev Magli.
Farmers Denounce Electricity Bill, Land Policies
BKU chief Dilbagh Singh criticised the state government, alleging that the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill would burden poor households and pave the way for the privatisation of key public assets. Farmers are demanding the bill’s withdrawal, the removal of prepaid electricity meters, and a stop to what they describe as the sale of government-owned land.
At Jalandhar’s Dakoha crossing, protesters led by BKU (R) leader Manjeet Singh Rai attempted to march toward the railway line but were blocked by heavy barricading. DCP Naresh Dogra informed them they would not be allowed to move forward and offered to arrest them on the spot instead.
Preventive Detentions and House Arrests
In Hoshiarpur’s Tanda area, Paramjit Singh Bhulla, president of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, was placed under house arrest to prevent him from joining the blockade. District officials said the measure was taken to avoid inconvenience to the public.
Kisan Mazdoor Morcha coordinator Sarwan Pandher reiterated that the agitation aims to safeguard the rights of farmers and labourers. He emphasised that their fight is focused on policy matters, urging police not to interfere with peaceful demonstrations.
Farm unions across Punjab said their protest would continue until the government addresses their main demands.
Earlier Previous Announcement by Punjab Farmers
Earlier today, Farmers in Punjab have announced they will block railway tracks today. Anticipating this, the police have already placed several farmer leaders under house arrest. Farmers have stated they will sit on the railway tracks at 26 locations across 19 districts, including Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Amritsar.
The farmers’ protest will last for two hours, from 1 PM to 3 PM. The railways have also made preparations to stop, terminate, or cancel trains during the blockade. However, a list of affected trains has not yet been released.
Passengers travelling by train during these two hours may face difficulties due to the farmers’ protest. However, the farmers will not block or protest on highways.
Police place farmers under house arrest
The Punjab Police have placed several farmer leaders under house arrest. Police have been deployed outside the house of Dilbagh Singh, president of the Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Union, Punjab. Dilbagh Singh is leading the rail blockade movement in Ludhiana.
Why are the farmers protesting?
Sarwan Pandher, convenor of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), said that they have three main demands: the repeal of the Electricity Amendment Bill-2025, the removal of prepaid electricity meters being installed in Punjab, and preventing the Punjab government from selling government lands. Pandher said that this movement is to protect the interests of farmers and labourers. It aims to force the governments to listen to the voice of the people on these issues.