Farmers' Protest over Inadequate Compensation for Land Acquisition Disrupts Rail Traffic

In a recent demonstration against the alleged insufficient compensation for land acquired for the Bharatmala project, hundreds of activists belonging to the farmers' outfit Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMC) staged a protest by squatting on a railway track in Devidaspura village. The blockade resulted in the disruption of rail traffic between Amritsar and Delhi after 12:30 pm on Thursday.

Chabba further accused the authorities of acquiring the land without providing the farmers with the desired compensation. He also brought attention to an alleged incident in Gurdaspur district where a woman farmer was reportedly slapped by a policeman, highlighting what he considered to be excessive use of force against the protesting farmers.

Railway officials confirmed that all incoming and outgoing trains on the affected section have been diverted due to the farmers' protest. The KMC spokesperson, Gurbachan Singh Chabba, addressed the issue, stating that the farmers were protesting against the inadequate compensation offered by the government for the acquired land associated with the Bharatmala project.

According to Chabba, the police resorted to a baton charge against peacefully protesting farmers who were voicing their concerns about the government's acquisition of their farmlands for the expansion/construction of the Delhi-Katra national highway. The incident occurred in Cheema Khudi village in Gurdaspur.

In response to the question of how long the farmers intend to continue blocking railway traffic, Chabba mentioned that a series of meetings between the farmers' outfit and the administration was underway. A final decision regarding the duration of the protest would be reached by evening.

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The ongoing disruption caused by the farmers' protest highlights the grievances surrounding the compensation issue related to the land acquisition for the Bharatmala project. As negotiations between the farmers' representatives and the authorities continue, efforts are being made to resolve the situation and minimize inconvenience to the public.

source-The Tribune

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