Abohar: Eviction put off as farmers threaten self-immolation

An attempt by the administration to take possession of about 7.5 acres in Gumjal village of Abohar was deferred as two farmers, who cultivated the land, climbed an overhead water tank and threatened to commit suicide by pouring petrol on themselves.

Sources said the aggrieved farmers, Banwari Lal and Ram Kumar, claimed that they had been tilling the land of Manohar Lal as tenants for the past 70 years. The landlord had filed a case in the court to get the land vacated. The farmers alleged that revenue officials had recommended a compensation for the land at the rate of Rs 1.67 lakh, wrongly describing it as barren. They stated that they would commit suicide and the local administration would be responsible for their step.

Officials said the Revenue Court had decided the case against the said tenants. When an official went to implement the order, the farmers protested against it and climbed the overhead water tank with bottles of petrol and threatened to end their lives. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the action was deferred. The tenants would be called soon to resolve the issue, they said.