Over 50 farmers stop Batala officials from taking possession of land; 6 hurt in clash with police

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

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A team of the district administration, led by Batala SDM Vikramjit Singh Panthey, reached Nangal Chor village near Sri-Hargobindpur early Tuesday morning 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 refuted the claim.

A group of 50 farmers assembled near Nangal Chor village when the administration and the police requested them to let them take possession of their land. The farmers refused to give the police the right of way, following which a confrontation took place. The adamant farmers insisted that they be paid adequate compensation first.

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