Farmers in India have ramped up their "Rail Roko" movement against the Modi government, with protests gaining momentum across Punjab and Haryana.
The movement, which originally started as the "Delhi Chalo" campaign, shifted to blocking railways after failed negotiations with the government.
Protesters have staged demonstrations at 74 locations across both states, leading to the cancellation of three trains and disruptions to the schedules of 39 others.
The protests were particularly intense in the Ferozepur and Ambala divisions, where farmers blocked railway tracks, halting train traffic. The Shambhu station in Haryana also saw a suspension of services due to the protests.
The farmers are demanding a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops, which they argue is crucial for their survival. Since February 1, more than 30 farmers have lost their lives, with two committing suicide during the protests.
If their demands are not met, the farmer unions have called for a complete shutdown of Punjab on December 30, signalling further escalation of their struggle.
