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Farmers disrupt rail, road traffic

Protest against acquisition of land by the State Government for SEZs

Chandigarh: The rail and road traffic was disrupted at several places in Punjab by activists of various farmers' organisations to protest acquisition of land by the State Government in Sangrur and Amritsar districts for setting up Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Rail traffic remained suspended on Gurdaspur-Fatehgarh Churian, Jalandhar-Ferozepur sections and at Amritsar railway station, officials said.

The trains that were affected in the wake of farmers' stir included Garib Rath, Flying mail and Tata Express, they said, adding two passenger trains were stopped at Kapurthala and Pajjian due to blockade as farmers squatted on tracks. The farmers rued acquisition of 376 acres of farmland for Trident Group of Industries at Sangrur.

The peasants said the State Government had recently issued notification for the acquisition of 1200 acres of agricultural land in Amritsar to set up an SEZ.

Besides, the farmers demanded withdrawal of cases on peasants protesting against acquisition of land. They also demanded that their acquired land should be returned and they be given compensation for crop failure in 2005 due to scanty rains.

According to a report from Pathanakot, president of Gurdaspur unit of Zamhuri Kisan Sabha Nek Chand said the State Government had failed to meet the aspirations of the farmers and farm workers. He said if the Congress Government did not accept the farmers' demand immediately, they would ensure its defeat in the coming elections. -- PTI

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