Train suspension: Punjab CM seeks Shah’s intervention
CHANDIGARH: With the Railways refusing to resume goods train operations that was suspended more than a month ago citing rail blockade protests over Centre’s farm laws, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh said he has sought Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s intervention to resolve the issue. He also reminded that it would affect not just the people of Punjab and neighbouring states, but also the armed forces in Ladakh and Kashmir..
According to a government statement, he also reiterated his assurance of a smooth and safe movement of goods trains in the state. The Railways on Saturday declined to resume goods trains in Punjab, saying it will either operate both freight and passenger trains or none. The train services in Punjab are suspended since September 24, when farmers started their rail roko agitation against the central laws.
Goods trains had resumed briefly after farmer unions on October 21 announced exempting them from their “rail roko” stir but the Railways suspended them again, saying farmers were still blocking the tracks. Amarinder spoke to Shah on Saturday, assuring him that there were no law and order concerns to prevent the resumption of the services to facilitate the supply of essential commodities in Punjab and neighbouring states, all of which are “suffering colossal losses” due to the suspension of trains, the statement said.
He said security concerns may, however, be serious for the nation if essential supplies do not reach the armed forces in Ladakh and Kashmir before the snowfall due to the Railways’ decision of not resuming goods trains immediately.
The situation on the ground was peaceful and conducive to safe transportation of goods, he told the Home Minister, adding that the agitating farmers have not disturbed peace in any part of the State.
Restating his earlier assurance to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, the CM told Shah he had directed the police to extend all support to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in providing security on the tracks and platforms.
He said it was the joint responsibility of the central and State governments to ensure that the train services were resumed at the earliest. His government was closely engaged with farmer organisations to persuade them to lift their blockade completely to allow passenger trains too so that Punjabis, including the 1.5 lakh soldiers stationed in various places, could come home for Deepavali. Several of his Ministers are in discussion with farmer unions in this regard, Amarinder added.