Farmers Movement Archive

Delhi-Katra expressway: Protest in Patiala from today

PATIALA: The farmers protesting against the acquisition of their land for the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway will start a protest in Patiala against the state government for not paying any heed to their demands. They want the acquisition process in Punjab halted till the issue of farm laws is resolved. The farmers’ have announced to keep the number of protesters low due to the pandemic. Just 10 farmers from each affected district will participate in the agitation in Patiala. “Around 130 farmers from 13 districts would reach Patiala on Wednesday to protest against the land acquisition for the expressway. Some other farmers whose land is being acquired for some other national highways have also joined us,” said Harmanpreet Singh Jeji, the coordinator of Delhi Katra Expressway Kisan Sangharh Committee (DKEKSC). “We would move from the Rajindra hospital towards the chief minister's residence but will sit down in protest wherever the police stop us. In case the police arrest all protesters, another team of 130 is ready to reach and continue the protest. Several teams of farmers have been made. After five days, the agitation will be intensified,” Jeji added. The farmers are not satisfied with the compensation announced for their agricultural land and also appealing the state government to halt the land acquisition process of the expressway in Punjab till the issue of farm laws is resolved. The farmers claim that the expressway will be 12 feet high and divide their agricultural land. They had earlier joined the protest near Tikri border of Delhi. On Sunday, farmers from Punjab participated in the protest for one day near Tikri border where many from Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi are already protesting against land acquisition under the banner of the National Highways Bharat Bhumi Bachao Sangharh Committee. They are protesting against Amritsar–Jamnagar (NH 754K), Delhi–Mumbai expressway (NH 148), National Highway 334 B, National Highway 344 M, National Highway 152 D and for Sonipat–Palwal Orbit Railway line.

The Times of India

2021-03-24

Ludhiana