Amritsar, 11 August (H.S.):The rail blockade protest proposed by farmer organisations in Amritsar for August 11 has been suspended for the time being following assurances from the district administration.

Palwinder Singh Mahal, state president of Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta Sangharsh, said farmers had announced a rail blockade from 12 noon on Tuesday over several demands, including compensation for flood-affected families and compensation for crop losses caused by hailstorms in 2024.

Mahal said a meetings had been held with senior administrative officials, including the DIG, Deputy Commissioner and SSP. One of the farmers’ key demands was the immediate release of compensation to people affected by floods.

He said many affected families were still facing financial difficulties even a year after the floods.

During a meeting at the SSP office, the administration assured farmer leaders that the process of releasing compensation to flood victims would begin from Tuesday itself.

Officials have also started contacting farmers affected by the 2024 hailstorm to collect their bank account details for payment of compensation.

Mahal said that after the government agreed to these two major demands, the farmer organisations decided to suspend the rail roko protest for the time being.

He added that a meeting with the Punjab Agriculture Minister would be held in Chandigarh to discuss other state-level demands.

According to Mahal, farmers from around 13 to 14 districts of Punjab were expected to reach Amritsar to participate in the proposed agitation. After the government agreed to the two key demands, an online meeting was held with farmer leaders at the state and district levels, where it was unanimously decided to postpone the protest.

Amritsar SSP Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal said the meeting between farmer leaders, the DIG, Deputy Commissioner and civil administration officials was held in a cordial atmosphere.

He said the farmers’ demands had been forwarded in writing to the concerned departments and ministries. Another meeting will be held after August 15 to discuss the remaining demands.

The SSP said compensation had already been paid in a large number of cases. Lists of farmers whose compensation is still pending have also been prepared, and the remaining payments will be released soon.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH