BKU appeals government to come up with policy for Punjab farmers caught between two fences at Indo-Pak border
BKU appeals government to come up with policy for Punjab farmers caught between two fences at Indo-Pak border
Ferozepur, February 24, 2023: The farmers whose fore-fathers had been cultivating the land between two fences at Indo-Pak border, near Gate No.195, feel to have been robbed of their lands as they have not been adequately compensated. Now, Section 145 has been imposed restricting the entry of farmers from going to their own fields, for irrigation and other farming activities.
Making an appeal to the Punjab government, Farman Singh Sandhu, State President, Bharti Kisan Union (BKU) Punjab, at a press meet at Press Club today said, the government should come up with certain policy for Punjab farmers to allow them to till their land which which falls between the fence and the so-called ‘zero-line’ the international border between India and Pakistan and they should be given the ownership right or may be given on contract or lease basis.
Farman said, the land between first fencing and international border at Gate No.195, involving around 300-400 families of 5 villages – Pabbi Hazi, Ruhela Khilcha, Gaddhu Kilcha, Nihal and Dona Telu Mal, had developed 200 acres of land from 1947 to 2005, despite the odd situations in 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak war, followed by floods in 1980 when the cultivation was banned by the army but now they have been denied for cultivation, notwithstanding the ‘girdawaris’ in their names.
He said, there had also been assurances from the government but now Section 145 has been imposed on 1,100 acres land including 200 acres. However, the girdawari were cancelled by the patwaris who were later on booked and deceitfully entered certain persons, who have already been involved in a number of cases under NDPS Act with recovery of heroin and had been managing the consignments by establishing the links across the border. Even heavy consignment of arms was also recovered in the past and a packet was received through a drone on November 9 last.
BKU President said, the government should verify the record of these persons, who are also sitting on dharna – fast unto death – before the DC office, under the banner of BKU Sidhpur.
Giving a word of advice, he said, it would be better if the disputed land should be handed over to the Panchayat which will earn revenue in crores.
Farman said, we are against any dharna or protest, which cause inconvenience to the public but appeal to the government to adequately compensate these small farmers, after verifying the proper documents, who feel of having robbed of their lands, which their father or fore-fathers, had been cultivating since the independence of the country.
On the other hand, certain farmers under the banner of BKU Eta Sidhupur had been sitting on dharna and fast unto death by Dara Singh, Fouja Singh and Bibi Jeeto, in front of DC office since February 14, led by Jagjit Singh Dalewala, State President, had also been demanding to allow the farmers to cultivate the land besides accepting other demands like cancellation of false FIRs against the farmers. They have threatened to continue with the protest till their demands are accepted.
Now, it looks to be a fight between the two groups of farmers about the genuineness of the ownership to continue with the cultivation of land and the government. In these circumstances, the farmers are making their livelihood on banning their entry beyond the fencing, by working as labourers on daily wages.
