Farmers' organizations in Punjab, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), have announced a three-hour 'rail roko' protest on April 17 to demand the immediate commencement of wheat procurement and relaxation of quality norms. This decision follows significant crop damage caused by unseasonal rains and hailstorms, leaving farmers frustrated with government inaction as they face severe financial losses. KMM leader Sarwan Singh Pandher stated that railway traffic will be blocked from 12 noon to 3 pm across various districts, including Amritsar, Sangrur, and Ludhiana, if procurement does not start promptly. The protest aims to highlight the plight of farmers who are forced to sell their wheat at reduced prices due to unsold stock in mandis. In a related protest, the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) demanded compensation of ₹50,000 (approximately $600 USD) per acre for affected farmers, citing delays in procurement as a major issue. If their demands are not met, farmers have indicated plans to intensify their protests in the coming days.