Farmers clash with cops over shamlat land in Patiala village
Wednesday, 20/06/2012
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120620/punjab.htm#7
A bloody clash between the police and farmers occured here today after the administration tried to get the village common land (shamlat) at Balberha village vacated.
At least 17 persons, including eight policemen and two women, were injured. They were hospitalised.
Escorted by a police team, officials from the Rural Development and Panchayat Department reached Balberha and Charason this morning to claim possession of more than 100 acres of agricultural land being tilled by farmers for the past many years.
As the officials reached Balberha to take possession of the land, they were confronted by farmers armed with sticks and stones who resisted the move.
“The situation turned ugly when the BDPO drove her vehicle to the vacated piece of land to prove that it was now in possession of the authorities.
“Provoked, the farmers started throwing stones at us. Water canons and tear gas shells were used to disperse them, but in vain. We had to use mild force to shoo them away,” police sources said.
Two police vehicles and five motorcycles were damaged. An FIR was lodged against some farmers.
Patiala SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill, who rushed to the site, claimed that the farmers had opened fire at the police team.
The farmers alleged that they were protesting peacefully when “the police descended on the village to forcibly take possession of the land of poor peasants without informing the village panchayat.”
Bone of contention
- The Rural Development and Panchayat Ministry wants shamlat land in villages vacated
- The land is tilled by influential farmers who do not pay the prevalent annual fee.
- Subsequently, the panchayats are losing precious money that can be used for development of villages
- Many tillers enjoy political patronage and resist any move by the authorities to get the land vacated
