Elderly farmer’s condition deteriorates during protest

Hundreds of farmers who had been earlier tilling the provincial government land situated along the zero line of the International Border continue to sit on indefinite hunger protests even though the condition of a few of them has started deteriorating.

It is pertinent to mention that these farmers have been sitting on protest since July 13 in front of the District Administrative Complex (DAC) against the purported move to allegedly dispossess them of the land between the zero line and barbed wire fencing, which they have been tilling as the source of their ‘bread and butter’. The ongoing protest was further intensified when these farmers began a hunger strike on August 20th.

Seeking parity

We would intensify the protest if our demands are not met by Wednesday. Farmers have been forced to protest as they have been left with no other choice. We have been stopped from ploughing our own land; however, those close to AAP leaders are allowed to enter their fields to cultivate the land. We demand parity. —Gurmit Singh Ghorechakk, BKU (Ekta Sidhupur) District president

Meanwhile, the condition of Dara Singh (63), an elderly farmer who had been sitting on hunger strike, has deteriorated. Earlier, taking no chance, the district administration had forcibly evacuated him to the Civil Hospital, from where he was further taken to AIIMS, Bathinda. However, yesterday he had to be taken to the Civil Hospital again and the doctors stated his condition was critical.

Around 15 days ago, a protesting farmer, Mahinder Singh (60), of Bhaba Haji village in Mamdot block, died during the protest on August 20, following which the farmers had blocked the road and intensified their stir. Later, the district administration provided financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the family members of

the deceased.

The problem has been simmering for several months as these farmers have been protesting against the imposition of Section 145 on a chunk of land along the International Border. The section prevents them from entering their fields as the land was situated across the barbed wire fence. These farmers claimed they have been tilling the land since 1989, when barbed wire fencing was erected along the border and in some cases, even before that, since the time of Independence when they migrated from across the border.

The district president of BKU (Ekta Sidhupur), Gurmit Singh Ghorechakk, said, “We would intensify the protest if our demands are not met by Wednesday. Farmers have been forced to protest as they have been left with no other choice. We have been stopped from ploughing our own land; however, those close to AAP leaders are allowed to enter their fields to cultivate the land. We demand justice.”