Officials fail to turn up for meet, farmers squat outside circuit house

Patiala, May 4

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Farmers who have been protesting alleged low compensation for acquisition of their land in Patiala were left disgruntled after the district administration failed to hold a meeting with them as assured a few days ago.

The farmer leaders, thereafter, squatted outside the circuit house in protest, while others associated with the protest continued to hold a sit-in at the Sullar road. The farmers alleged that the administration had assured them of holding a meeting on May 4 on the day they held a protest on April 30, but failed to give it in writing. “Today, they did not turn up, saying their officers were Covid-19 positive,” said Harmanpreet Singh, coordinator, Road Kisan Sangharsh Committee.

He said the farmers had been looking forward to the meeting, while a police case was also registered against them.

The administration and the police barricaded the area to prevent any untoward incident. Fire brigades and police force were deployed at the site.

Later in the evening, DC Kumar Amit and other officials met the protesters and assured them of a meeting with the officials concerned after which the farmers lifted the protest. — TNS