Farmers welcome wire fencing shifting to 200 m from zero line, but want compensation
Farmers welcome wire fencing shifting to 200 m from zero line, but want compensation
Ferozepur, January 11, 2023: The farmers of Punjab border villages touching the international border line fencing in Ferozepur area happy over the decision of the Union Home Ministry and BSF for shifting of wire fencing 200 m from ‘Zero Line’ for which a pilot project has been started in Pathankot over an area of 8.5 km If this pilot project is successful, it will benefit the village farmers on all borders. But at the same time, they demand compensation for their cultivated land that comes within 200 m.
As of now, their fields are left unattended from dusk to dawn resulting in damage to crops by wild boars from Pakistan for which no suitable compensation was paid to them. They are also not being allowed to sow crops of tall height across the fencing due to security reasons. They had been demanding more time to go across the fencing to look after their crops. . Presently, 22 ft land is left and is not cultivated from the zero line.
If the pilot project is successful, farmers will have access to large land for agriculture as wire fencing is ahead. Security will also increase. In 1988, India installed a wire fence. Cultivable land lies unplanned between the zero line and the fence in many areas. Moreover, BSF permission is required for cultivation on this as they are monitored by them.
Due to this decision, the farmers will get their land. This problem of the farmers was brought to the attention of the Union Home Minister during his visit. The project of the Center is supported by the state government – Bhagwant Mann, Chief Minister, Punjab.
Expressing happiness over the decision, Darshan Singh, Sukha, Mangal Singh farmer of village Kaluwala and Bachan Singh, Joginder Singh, Malkit Singh of Khilche said, with this decision, we can cultivate and look after our land beyond 200 m easily as of now there are restrictions of movement near zero line fencing for fixed hours but farmers with small land within this fencing, must be compensated.
However, it is not in the interest of small farmers whose small piece of land, which is the only source of their livelihood, will come within this 200 m. It would be better if such farmers are compensated by allotment of panchayat land or otherwise whose land comes within 200 m of wire fencing from zero line as per the new guidelines, if implemented. Another farmer was of the view that this fencing should start from 22 ft and there should be no restrictions on cultivation of land.
In fact, the cultivation along the zero line is also taken as a line to the smuggling across the border and if the fencing is shifted to 200 m, this will reduce their direct contacts but will increase consignment throw chances. However, the BSF jawans who had to accompany the farmers across the fencing will not be required and their services will be more useful for keeping regular vigil on the border.
