Rohtak villagers oppose auction of land

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, May 31

Villagers of Chamaria village and activists of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) have opposed the move to auction land of farmers, who have been unable to repay their loans.

A team of Cooperative Bank officials went to the village in the district in connection with the auction process recently, but were unable to initiate the process due to stiff resistance from the villagers and BKU activists. The officials concerned have now sought police help to carry out the process.

Satyawan Narwal, BKU’s local unit leader, said the auction of farmers’ land would not be allowed. The union had also submitted a memorandum addressing the Rohtak Deputy Commissioner, urging him to get the auction process stopped.

The union members also threatened to launch a stir if the authorities concerned went ahead with the auction move.

Shailender, a resident of Chamaria village, who has also got an auction notice as his late father could not repay the loan, said the Chief Minister had recently stated that farmers’ land would not be auctioned. Still, the local authorities were carrying out the auction process.

KL Sharma, general manager of the Rohtak Central Cooperative Bank, said the matter had been handed over to the assistant registrar of the Cooperative Societies. He, however, maintained that legal action would be taken against those who obstructed the bank officials in discharging their duties.

Narender Sharma, assistant registrar of the Cooperative Societies, said a team of officials had to return empty-handed due to resistance by villagers and the auction process would be resumed under police protection after assessing the situation in coordination with the bank authorities.

He said they did not have any official information about the Chief Minister having stated that the farmers’ land would not be auctioned.

Maqsood Ahmad, SHO Sadar, said the officials concerned had approached the police for security to carry out the auction process, and they would be provided the same as and when required.