The farmers are demanding to clear Rs 450 crore pending dues with private and cooperative sugar mills of the last cane crushing season, besides rise in State Assured Price of the crop from Rs 310 per quintal to Rs 350 per quintal.

After cancellation and diversion of around four dozen trains on busy Jalandhar-Jammu route due to almost 30-hour blockade by cane growers near Garna Sahib at Dasuya in Hoshiarpur district since Saturday afternoon, the railway service resumed on Sunday.

Farmers lifted their dharna on Sunday evening around 7.30 pm after getting assurance from the administration about meeting their demands. The administration has fixed their meeting with the state cane commissioner on Monday.

Farmers had also blocked the National Highway near the same spot on Sunday morning. In 30 hours, around 70 local, goods and long-distance trains pass through this track.

Jalandhar Cantt Railway Station Master Abhijit Chaudhary said that out of over two dozen long-distance trains, nearly 13 were cancelled and the same number of trains were diverted via the Amritsar-Pathankot route. Around 20 local and goods trains too had been terminated, said Chaudhary.

Four farmers’ organisations – Ganna Sangharsh Committee, Dasuya, BKU, Doaba, Majha Sangharsh Committee and Lok Bhai Insaaf Society – have been leading the protest.

They are demanding to clear Rs 450 crore pending dues with private and cooperative sugar mills of the last cane crushing season, besides rise in State Assured Price of the crop from Rs 310 per quintal to Rs 350 per quintal. The cane crushing season is about to start in the state.

“We had come here on Saturday afternoon, but today (Sunday) the protest is more aggressive as a large number of farmers from across state have joined it,” said Manjit Singh Purhiran, president of BKU, Doaba, adding that neighbouring states like Haryana is paying Rs 340 per quintal to the farmers and UP Rs 325 per quintal.

Station House Officer of Dasuya police station Jagdish Raj Attri said that the highway traffic was also resumed. “Earlier it was diverted from Tanda to Miani side and from Mukerian to Garhdiwal side.”

Railway Protection Force is likely to book the protesters as a team is analysing the situation.

Courtesy By :- The Indian Express