LIVE: Farmers in Meerut respond to 'rail roko' campaign, capture railway track in Meerut

The ‘rail roko’ has been announced by the protesting farmer unions under the Samkyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Thursday which will be staged from 12 PM to 4 PM. While, Railways have deployed 20 additional RSPF companies across the country.

ANI photo

New Delhi: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait announced that the farmer groups protesting against the Centre’s new farm laws will be holding a ‘rail roko’ (railway blockade) across the country on Thursday (February 18, 2021). The protest will be staged from 12 PM to 4 PM.

The ‘rail roko’ has been announced by the Samkyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of 40 farmers` unions. Accusing the Centre, Tikait said the government has not been permitting many trains to ply for the last eight months despite the fact that many other curbs were removed after people faced difficulties.

While, Railways have deployed 20 additional RSPF companies across the country. Railways has also set up a control room to monitor the situation. Also, special attention wil be given to these states - Punjab, Haryana, UP and other states.

On the other hand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a two-day visit to poll-bound state of West Bengal, will launch the fifth and final phase of his party’s 'Poriborton Yatra' from the South 24 Parganas district on Thursday. Shah reached Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport at around 12:30 am past midnight. 

Stay tuned with Zee News for all the latest LIVE news, updates:

18 February 2021

13:55 IST

Protesting farmers reached Dankaur railway station under the call for 'Rail Roko' movement. There is heavy police deployment at the spot stopping the protesters from getting inside the station.

13:53 IST

Farmers are sitting on the railway tracks in protest and are demanding that the government withdraws the three farm laws. 

13:50 IST

There is heavy police deployment at Cantt station. A senior police officer is present on the spot. Police say they are trying to ensure that there is no loss of life or property and that the demonstration ends peacefully. 

13:48 IST

In Meerut, a large number of farmers reached the city's Cantt railway station under the 'Rail Roko' campaign and captured the railway track. 

13:32 IST

In the past few years, the double engine Govt of Centre and Assam made an effort to reduce the geographical and cultural gaps of this entire region: PM Narendra Modi via video conferencing. (ANI)

13:21 IST

PM Narendra Modi virtually launches Rs 3,231 crore 'Mahabahu Brahmaputra' project, lays foundation of two bridges in Assam (PTI)

11:28 IST

Delhi Metro update:

Entry/exit for Tikri Border, Pandit Shree Ram Sharma, Bahadurgarh City, and Brig. Hoshiar Singh have been closed.

Security Update

Entry/exit for Tikri Border, Pandit Shree Ram Sharma, Bahadurgarh City, and Brig. Hoshiar Singh have been closed.

— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation I कृपया मास्क पहनें (@OfficialDMRC) February 18, 2021

10:31 IST

Haryana: Police personnel deployed at Palwal railway station, in the wake of the 4-hour long nationwide 'rail roko' call by farmers today. (ANI)

10:26 IST

After the farmers' union announced a 'rail roko' movement, security forces have been deployed at the railway stations of Delhi. Many trains have also been canceled.