Train services affected as farmer protestors embark on 'rail roko'

As of now, 30 locations are affected and 8 trains regulated in Northern Railway Zone

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ITDC NEWS R With the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) carrying out 'rail roko' protests against the Lakhimpur Kheri killings, train services were affected on Monday. "As of now, 30 locations are affected and eight trains regulated in Northern Railway Zone," CPRO, Northern Railway, stated. The protests were held across the country, demanding the dismissal and arrest of Union Minister Ajay Mishra. In Punjab, four sections of the Ferozepur railway division were blocked by the protesters. The Ferozepur-Fazilka section in Ferozepur city, and the Ferozepur-Ludhiana section at Ajitwal in Moga were affected.

In a statement, the umbrella body of farmer unions spearheading the farmers' agitation against the Centre's three agri laws, said "protests will only be intensified until justice is secured" in the Lakhimpur Kheri case.

Four of the eight people who died in the violence on October 3 were farmers, allegedly knocked down by a vehicle carrying BJP workers. Angry farmers then allegedly lynched some people in the vehicles. The other dead included two BJP workers and their driver.

Farmers have claimed that Ajay Mishra's son Ashish Mishra was in one of the vehicles, an allegation denied by him and the Union minister who say they can produce evidence to prove he was at an event at that time.