Villagers allege land grab by civic body

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 21

Residents of a number of villages, including Ablowal village, held a protest against the Patiala Municipal Corporation (MC) today. They alleged that the MC was acquiring village land in connivance with Thapar University illegally.

“The MC is illegally trying to misuse its powers and provide land of the Guga Madi village to the university. The land belongs to our village and Guga Madi (religious place) has been there for long,” said residents. 

They alleged that the MC had also disconnected the water and electricity connection for the land measuring 9 bigha and 16 biswe.

The local MP, Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, who joined the protesting villagers on the Nabha road said, “The MC should not try to acquire land in the village illegally. We will protest against the unlawful activity of the civic body and take all possible legal measures against it.” Residents of Langh, Lachkani and Sidhuwal villages were also present during the protest.

Officials of the MC when contacted said, “The matter is not in our knowledge. Officials in the civic body should answer to this if they have taken any decision in this regard.” 

“The engineering institute is not in talks with the MC for any nearby land,” they added.

Municipal Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Khaira said, “Land in the village is being acquired for the canal water project. A study has been conducted at the Thapar University in the regard.”