Tension mounts in Bathinda's village over land acquisition under Bharatmala project; heavy police force deployed
Police ramp up security measures | Additional personnel deployed | Barricading erected at key access points
PTC Web Desk: A tense standoff persists in Bathinda's Dunewala village following a confrontation between the police and farmers over the acquisition of land under the Central Government's Bharatmala project. On Thursday, administrative officials, accompanied by a heavy police presence, took possession of the land, sparking widespread outrage among the farming community.
Farmers are adamant at reclaiming their land. In response, the police have ramped up security measures, deploying additional personnel and barricading key access points.
Leaders of the BKU (Ugrahan) have issued a call to farmers across Punjab to join the protest. A significant number of farmers have already gathered, determined to resist the land acquisition. The standoff intensified as protesters attempted to move towards the acquired land, leading to a scuffle with the police.
Farmer leaders claim that their struggle is aimed at securing adequate compensation for the acquired land, which they allege has not been provided. However, administrative officials insist that all dues have been settled.
Anticipating large-scale demonstrations, the police have deployed several companies of forces and set up roadblocks at strategic locations. Barricades have been placed to prevent any movement towards the village, with senior officials, including the Additional Deputy Commissioner, monitoring the situation on-site.
At Bathinda's Ghanaiya Chowk, farmers were stopped by the police. Protesters accused the authorities of high-handedness, alleging that they were being forcibly prevented from attending meetings.
Police officials, however, defended their actions, stating that the measures were necessary to maintain law and order. They denied any unjust treatment, stating the barricades were temporary precautions.
Under the Bharatmala Project, land from villages Dunewala, Sangat Kalan, and Shergarh in Bathinda district has been acquired. The Bathinda police, with reinforcements from across the state, facilitated the acquisition process earlier this week. According to the police, possession of the acquired land was taken as part of the project’s implementation.