The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) will hold a major tractor march tomorrow against the Punjab government’s land pooling policy. The protest will take place across Punjab, with three big marches planned in Ludhiana district alone. Over 1,000 tractors, cars and motorcycles are expected to join.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government plans to acquire a large amount of land from around 40 villages in Ludhiana. This includes 24,311 acres for housing projects and 21,550 acres for industries. Affected areas include Dana Mandi, Jodhan, Dakha Ground, Mullanpur and Koomkalan.
SKM leaders said the land pooling issue impacts not just farmers but also workers, migrants, and mechanics. Raminder Singh Patiala a senior SKM member said that people from all walks of life will join the protest.
Raghbir Singh Benipal, SKM’s Ludhiana coordinator said the march will begin at 11 am and will pass through all affected villages. Land is the only support farmers have. The government is trying to take it away in the name of development, he said.
Protests will also happen in other parts of Punjab, where land pooling is not an issue. These protests will raise concerns over the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which farmers believe will harm agriculture.
Some AAP MLAs supported the farmers’ concerns. MLA Kulwant Singh Sidhu said the policy is good only if promises to farmers are kept. He also shared that his own land was taken by the government years ago at a very low price. Farmers should not be cheated again, he said.
However, other AAP MLAs like Madan Lal Bagga and Pappi Prashar defended the policy saying it will bring development and is not being forced on anyone.
Social activist Lakha Sidhana criticized the government saying the policy is a trap. Farmers won’t be allowed to use or sell their land freely under this plan, he said. We won’t allow even an inch of land to be taken from farmers.
Many NGOs and activists have also come out in support of the protesting farmers.
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