Punjab farmers look to new govt for support

Although no political parties supported the farmers over the fight for their land which was acquired by Trident Group in the Barnala district of Punjab, the farmers are hoping things will improve if there is a government change.

Speaking to Business Standard, the Bhartiya Kissan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) State Organising Secretary said: "We are adopting a wait and watch policy till the new government is formed. The polls in the state are scheduled for tomorrow and the new government will be formed by February 27."

He said: "If the Congress again comes to power, we would plan our action if it did not address the issue. However, if the SAD-BJP combine wins and forms the government, we would submit a memorandum stating our demand and after the outcome of the meeting, we would decide the future course of our action."

Earlier, on February 9 activists and farmers staged a protest in the state. While the men blocked the roads, around 3,000 women staged protest against the state government at Fatehgarh Chhanna village and burned the effigy of ministers.

Meanwhile, the police personnel and CISF jawans, who are deployed outside the Abhisek Industries unit (a subsidiary of the Trident group) to prevent any untoward incidents in the villages, have been removed from the site.

Also, the men (whose lands have been acquired by the Punjab government for the Trident group's expansion plans) who were absconding fearing arrest have returned to their villages.

One of the farmers whose land was acquired said: "The land is a source of bread and butter for me. The factory owner is offering us jobs, but I am quite satisfied working on my land rather than working as a daily wager in a factory."

Earlier, the government had acquired 376 acres, of which a major part was in Fatehgarh Chhanna village. This has stopped further acquisition of land by the government for its mega projects in the state. At present, the entire land is in the possession of the Trident Group. The company has raised a high boundary wall around the acquired land to prevent the entry of the activists and members of farmer organisations.

It is expected that at least 100 farmers would be affected by this move of the company, as only 30 families have agreed to offer land. The company is planning to set up a spinning unit, a readymade garment unit, a sugar mill, a paper mill and a power generation unit.