Bharat Bandh: Tracks, highways blocked by farmers; trains halted
The Amritsar-Katihar Express, the Saharsa-Amritsar Express, the Uchahar Express trains were halted at the Ambala Cantonment railway station.
The farmers’ union had called for Bharat Bandh today to protest against the three agriculture laws of the Centre. The farmers blocked highways and railways tracks at several locations in Punjab and Haryana. In places like Kurukshetra, Sonipat, Bahadurgarh, Charkhi Dadri, Jind, Amritsar, Patiala, Barnala and Lalru near Derabassi, farmers squatted on railway tracks. Many trains had to be stopped due to the ongoing protest.
Trains halted
According to media reports, Train No 03005 UP Howrah Mail from Kolkata was stopped by the railway authorities at 6.35 am. The Jammu-bound 08237 UP Begampura Express had to be halted at Phagwara at 6.46 am. Due to a track blockade near Jalandhar, Begampura Express had to be stopped there.
The Amritsar-Katihar Express, the Saharsa-Amritsar Express, the Uchahar Express trains were halted at the Ambala Cantonment railway station.
The Ambala-Saharanpur passenger train was stopped at the Jagadhri railway station.
The Swaraj Express train headed to Jammu was halted at the Karnal railway station.
Three trains were also stopped at the Kurukshetra railway station.
The farmers also blocked highways like Ambala-Delhi National Highway. Due to this, the national capital witnessed a massive traffic jam. The traffic had to be diverted to other routes.
A body of over 40 farm unions, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), protesting against farm laws had earlier appealed to people to support the bandh.