Farmers sit on a railway track during an indefinite protest demanding an increase in sugarcane prices among other demands, in Jalandhar. Pics/PTI
The decision of the farmers came on the fourth day of their demonstration after a meeting here between union leaders and the chief minister, which last for more than 90 minutes, ended on a positive note
The farmers had blocked the Jalandhar national highway. They had also stepped up their protest by blocking a railway track on Thursday, but this blockade was lifted as soon as the Punjab government announced the meeting
"The good thing is that they (farmer union leaders) have stated that the blockade from the rail track has been lifted and while the service road of the (Jalandhar) highway is operational, the main highway will also be cleared now," Mann, a senior AAP leader, said
Farmers had been staging a 'dharna' in the middle of the Jalandhar-Phagwara section of the highway, and this affected traffic between Jalandhar and Delhi
Talking to reporters, both Mann and the union leaders said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. Though Mann did not reveal what would be the new state advised price for sugarcane, he said that "as far as increasing the rate of sugarcane goes, Punjab has always been ahead"
"In the coming days, sugarcane farmers will get good news regarding rate and compensation for losses they incurred due to floods earlier this year," he said
ADVERTISEMENT
