Malerkotla: Cops keep vigil as land acquisition for NHAI project nears completion

Malerkotla, August 27

Officials of the local administration remained vigilant as taking physical possession of land that has been acquired for construction of Delhi-Katra Expressway under the Bharat Mala Project nears completion is nearing completion.

Will prevent ‘forceful’ acquisition: SKM

While threat of scrapping of highway projects by the National Highway Authority of India necessitated immediate possession of all pending acquired land, leaders of constituent unions of Samyukt Kisaan Morcha (SKM) have announced to adopt do-or-die methods in preventing authorities from taking possession forcibly.

Ahmedgarh SDM Gurmit Kumar Bansal said possession of almost all pieces of land acquired from farmers had been taken. “However, possession of some non-agricultural plots was yet to be taken,” Bansal said, maintaining that the process for taking possession of residential or commercial plots will soon be completed.

The civil and police administration remained on toes, frisking protesting farmers from about 1,000 m span of Delhi-Katra highway passing through this region on Monday.

While threat of scrapping of highway projects by the National Highway Authority of India necessitated immediate possession of all pending acquired land, leaders of constituent unions of Samyukat Kissan Morcha have announced to adopt do-or-die methods in preventing authorities from taking possession forcibly.

Though the possession of major part of the acquired land was taken by frisking and detaining BKU (Ugrahan) activists, the police had to enhance night vigil as proactive measure to prevent any retaliation by the protestors who had announced to adopt do-or-die methods to protect rights of farmers.

Residents said the administration should play an active role in facilitating the process of enabling owners of land to get genuine price and compensation for their properties which were the only source of their subsistence and income.