Farmers’ stir: Kaithal admn on its toes to resolve matter

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Kaithal, July 28

The unrest among farmers of eight villages demanding a higher price for their land acquired for the Titram bypass on NH-65 is building up in face of official apathy over the past week.

The protesters, who are sitting on the roadside, are demanding a four- fold rise in the award announced for their land. The administration is working overtime to pacify the farmers but the patience of the agitators seems to be wearing thin.

The government is not serious about protecting the interests of the farmers. We met the CM and senior BJP leaders but to no avail. We have called a meeting tomorrow to take a final call, said Bhura Ram Pabnawa, BKU general secretary.

The DC has been meeting farmers besides senior officials. “The CM had assured us to redress our grievances last week during the meeting. Since there is no outcome, we will block NH 65 in a day or two, said Raman Kumar, a protestor.

The government has acquired 412 acres in 16 villages. A majority of the villagers have accepted the compensation but the difference in the price offered by the authorities and the market rate has created the problem. Some villagers have been offered Rs27 lakh per acre while it is Rs35 lakh in others.

KM Pandurang, DC, said they have been asking the farmers to file an appeal in the court of the DC but they are being misguided by some people with vested interests.