Fri Dec 05 15:51:15 UTC 2025: Summary:

Farmers in Punjab, under the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), staged a “rail roko” protest on December 5, 2025, blocking railway tracks for two hours. The protest aimed to pressure the central government to withdraw the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which farmers believe will harm the agricultural sector. Leaders also criticized the state government for allegedly attempting to sell government lands. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher reported detentions of farm leaders prior to the protest and warned of escalating actions, including removing pre-paid smart meters on December 10 if their demands are not met.

News Article:

Punjab Farmers Halt Trains in Protest Over Electricity Bill, Land Concerns

Chandigarh, India – December 5, 2025 – Rail traffic in parts of Punjab was disrupted today as farmers, organized under the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), conducted a “rail roko” protest. Demonstrators blocked railway tracks for two hours, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., to voice their opposition to the central government’s proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and express concerns over state government land policies.

The KMM alleges the electricity bill will negatively impact the agricultural sector and increase financial strain on farmers. They are demanding its complete withdrawal.

“We want the Centre to withdraw the amendments to the Electricity Act, which will only harm the agriculture sector and bring further financial distress to farmers,” stated Sarwan Singh Pandher, a senior farmer leader. “Besides, the State government is making attempts to sell government lands through different ways, which we will never accept and would never let it happen.”

Pandher also accused the police of detaining several farm leaders in the lead-up to the protest. He warned that if their demands remain unaddressed, the agitation would escalate. He announced plans to remove pre-paid smart meters on December 10 as a further act of protest.

The situation is developing, and further disruptions to rail services are possible if negotiations do not yield results.

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