Cops cane-charge protesting farmers in Batala, 6 injured

Six farmers were injured after the police cane-charged them following a confrontation between them over land acquisition.

The district administration, led by Batala SDM Vikramjit Singh Panthey, reached Nangal Chor village near Sri-Hargobindpur early today to take possession of land for the Delhi-Jammu Katra expressway. The administration and NHAI officials claimed the farmers had been given proper compensation while the farm unions claimed “not even a single rupee” had been paid to them.

A group of 50 farmers assembled near Nangal Chor village when the administration and the police requested them to let them take possession of the land. The farmers refused to budge following which a confrontation took place. The adamant farmers insisted that they be paid money before the administration took any step.

Six farmers were said to have sustained injuries. All of them were admitted to the Harchowal Civil Hospital. SSP Suhail Qasim Mir said the farmers had sustained only minor injuries.

A farm leader said in meetings held earlier, the administration had ensured them that adequate compensation would be paid before their land was acquired. “However, they backtracked on their promise. We will talk with our senior leaders before we take our next step,” he said.