Punjab farmers' protest: Face-off between farmers, administration over land acquisition in Gurdaspur's village
PTC Web Desk: A tense standoff erupted at Bhitewadh village of Punjab's Gurdaspur district as protesting farmers and district administration officials had a face-off over alleged forced land acquisition for the Bharatmala highway project. The confrontation escalated after the authorities arrived to take possession of agricultural land, reportedly without providing full compensation to the landowners.
Farmers, led by the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, blocked the move, accusing the administration of forcibly attempting to acquire land without disbursing due payments. Protesters claimed that despite repeated requests and assurances, National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has failed to clear the compensation payments owed for their land.
According to eyewitnesses, the police detained several farmers and leaders who resisted the acquisition, forcibly loading them into buses and moving them to undisclosed locations. During the police action, there were reports of turbans being tossed and many protesters being dragged through the fields. The protestors, including a significant number of women, raised slogans against the Punjab Government and the central authorities involved in the Bharatmala highway initiative.
Farmer leaders Rashpal Singh Bharth and Gurmukh Singh Khan Malak, addressing the gathering, condemned the administration's move, stating: “Farmers whose land payments are still pending should not be subjected to forceful possession. The district administration and police are ignoring our pleas and acting in a dictatorial manner.”
The leaders insisted that only lands for which full compensation has been paid should be taken over. They also accused officials of mistreating protest leaders during the operation.
Senior police officials, including SP Rajinder Sharma and DSP Kulwant Singh Maan led the crackdown, with tehsildars and other administrative staff overseeing the operation on-site. A prolonged verbal altercation between the farmers and officials preceded the police action.
- PTC NEWS
