Govt gives Rs5 lakh to dead farmer’s kin, protest over

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 29

Rail traffic finally returned to normal after almost 36 hours as the protesting farmers lifted the blockade late last night, but not before causing great inconvenience to the passengers and loss to the tune of crores of rupees to the Railways.

As per an estimate, the Railways suffered Rs 9 crore loss on account of freight charges alone. Besides, 107 trains were cancelled, delayed or diverted during the 36-hour long dharna at Devidaspura village near Jandiala Guru.

The blockade was lifted after Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat announced Rs5 lakh as compensation for the family of Jagtar Singh who died due to cardiac arrest during the protest. He also assured the farmers of speedy procurement. A meeting between the farmers and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has also been fixed for May 7.

Farmer leader Satnam Singh Pannu said they would demand a compensation of Rs35,000 per acre for the farmers who had suffered crop loss between 50 to 100 per cent due to unseasonal rain.