UP on alert over ‘rail roko’ call by farmers

Lucknow, Feb 18 : The Uttar Pradesh government has put on alert all law enforcing agencies following the call for a four-hour rail blockage from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday by the Sanyukt Kisan Sangharsh Samiti.
The railway ministry has put the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) on high alert. Senior officials conducted checking at railway stations and have identified vulnerable spots.
Farmer leaders have already been warned of legal action if they attempt to stop the trains.
In some regions, the railway authorities have sought deployment of provincial armed constabulary (PAC) to stop farmer leaders from occupying the railway tracks.
Superintendent of Police GRP, Agra, Mohammad Mushtaq said, “Nobody without a confirmed ticket will be allowed to enter inside the railway stations. Only one entry and exit gates will be operational on Thursday. All the GRP stations have been put on alert. We have sought deployment of PAC around railway stations. Local police will also help in keeping the train operations unaffected.” It is suspected that the protesting farmers may try to board trains by taking tickets and then stop the train outside the stations.