Farmers affiliated to different unions that form the Samyukt Kisan Morcha started their tractor rally in villages across Punjab to protest the state government’s proposal for acquisition under its Land Pooling Policy.
The biggest show of strength by farmers is being witnessed in Ludhiana district, where 45,861 acres of land is proposed to be acquired. This includes 24,311 acres of land for residential purposes and 21,550 acres for setting up industrial zones.
SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal told The Tribune that the tractor rally had been planned in several places of Ludhiana district, including Kumkalan, Balion, Dakha, Jodha and Jagraon.
“This will be the biggest-ever march in recent times, as the public in rural areas want to show their anger against the bid to take over their fertile lands and displace them from their homes,” he said.
Tractor rallies have been planned in 116 villages of the state.
AAP MLA releases video in bid to placate community
Ropar: Seeing the anger of farmers against the Land Pooling Policy, AAP MLA from Ropar Dinesh Chada released a video in which he assured them that if they had not given their assent to the policy, not even an inch of their land would be acquired by the state. However, when contacted, he refused to comment over the issue. Earlier, AAP MP from Anandpur Sahib parliamentary constituency Malvinder Singh Kang had openly spoken against the Punjab
In Amritsar district, tractor marches in Ajnala, Mannawala and Tarn Taran witnessed massive participation from the agrarian community. Sarwan Singh Pandher, general secretary, Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Committee, said, “We appeal to the government to withdraw the policy before a massive agitation starts.” He said that farmers knew that the proposed acquisition announcement by the government was “just a start”. Farmers from villages around Guru Ka Bagh marched towards Gurdwara Morcha Sahib on the Amritsar-Ajnala road where they were joined by another cavalcade from villages around Rajasansi.