High drama unfolded at Ferozshah toll plaza at NH-5 (Ferozepur- Ludhiana Road) on Wednesday afternoon.
Farmers belonging to the Bharti Kissan Union (Ekta Ugraha) occupied a portion of the highway in front of the toll plaza and sowed paddy after dumping soil at the road itself. They also blocked the road by parking tractors mid-way.
While giving details, Gursewak Singh of Ferozeshah village claimed that the portion of the land where the toll plaza has been set up, belongs to him and his brother Satnam Singh.
He alleged that when the land was acquired for the National Highway project in 2019, an additional 3 kanal 12 marla of their land was forcibly occupied beyond the acquired area, but no compensation was paid to them for this excess land.
Gursewak said that while compensation was released for the land officially acquired, the actual area occupied was larger than what was reflected in the records. He claimed that a fresh demarcation was subsequently conducted by the Patwari and Kanungo of the area, which reportedly confirmed their claim regarding the excess land.
He further alleged that he has been running from pillar to post for the past eight years in pursuit of justice with no tangible outcome.
“I knocked every possible door and met with the district officials, however, it all went in vain. I was left with no option but to take this course of action,” added Gursewak.
He further mentioned that the paddy has presently been sown only on a small portion of the “disputed” land as a mark of protest.
“If my grievance remains unaddressed, I will cultivate paddy on the entire 3 kanal 12 marla land which rightfully belongs to my family and I,” he said.
He also alleged that officials of the PWD and National Highway Authority of India have merely been exchanging correspondence instead of resolving the issue.
“We had met senior officials last week too, and were assured that the matter would be resolved within a week. However, with no progress on the ground, I was compelled to intensify the protest and take help from the union”, said Gursewak, adding that he will continue his protest till the time he gets compensation against excess land where the toll plaza has been set up.
Later, officials from the revenue department including Naib Tehsildar Ramesh Dhingra reached the protest site and pacified the agitating farmers, following which the protest was lifted.
Block President of BKU (Ekta Ugraha) Mohinder Singh said that for the time being, the dharna has been lifted after assurance of the officials.
“We have been informed that a meeting will take place with senior officials from the administration and concerned departments. We will wait for the outcome of the meeting and then decide the further course of action,” said Mohinder.
