People's Democracy

PUNJAB

Police Opens Fire under Land Mafia’s Pressure

THROUGH a statement issued from New Delhi on June 6, the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) have condemned the senseless attempt of the administration in Jagraon tehsil of Ludhiana district in Punjab, under pressure of the land mafias, to evict people settled since 1947 on the Nikasi land of Talwandi Nau Abad, in broad daylight on May 29. The police firing, which took place in the presence of the BDO Amarjit Singh, tehsildar Gurmail Singh and Sidhwan Bet SHO Balbir Singh, seriously injured a young peasant called Nahal Singh (45 years) and 87 years old Labh Singh. Eight others were also wounded, four of them women.

The statement said the police brutally attacked the people, 100 of whom were named in the FIR and six were jailed under section 307. It termed this brutality to evict people settled on land for over a generation, paying land revenue and having brick houses and electricity connections, as a disgrace, especially as the land mafias are active all over the country as a result of the spiralling land prices, divesting the poor of their only means of livelihood.

The AIKS and AIAWU have extended support to the agitation of the abadkar peasants and demanded punishment for the three aforementioned officials present at the time of the firing. They have also demanded the release of those in jail, and adequate compensation to the injured persons. Another major demand is that all the peasants concerned must be given pattas to confirm their rights and that a climate of peace must be restored.

The two organisations have asked the government of Punjab to intervene immediately and assure about not resorting to such barbarity again. By dropping the false cases and releasing the prisoners immediately, the state government must also ensure that the tension created by this brutal action is defused. (INN)