FARMERS’ PROTEST ENDS AFTER 36 DAYS; THE DEFENSE EMBANKMENT WILL BE BUILT ONLY AFTER CONSENSUS

Raj Sadosh/Abohar.

The farmers’ protest that had been continuing for the past 36 days over the issue of the Defense embankment has ended. Karan Gilhotra, who reached among the farmers of more than five affected villages, including Noorsambadh, Ladhuka, Baikhasata Utad and Ghulam Rasool, appealed to them through dialogue to end the protest. After his assurance, the farmers agreed to call off the protest.

Karan Gilhotra said that the military survey regarding the Defense embankment will continue. After the survey is completed, all villagers will be informed about the proposed site of the embankment. He assured that the project will move forward only after discussions with the villagers and with their consent.

He said that the concerns of the farmers will not be ignored. If they are not heard and their problems are not resolved, then if he himself has to fight alongside the farmers, he will do so, but for now we should trust our army officers.

The main issue behind this 36-day-long agitation was the farmers’ concern over the possible impact of the Defense embankment on five villages. Now all eyes will be on the survey and the discussion regarding the proposed site.

Karan Gilhotra said that, as per the farmers’ demand, the survey information will be shared with them transparently, and any decision related to the construction of the embankment will be taken keeping in mind the concerns and consent of the people of the affected villages. Even then, if any problem arises, Karan Gilhotra himself will struggle with the farmers.

Earlier as well, when farmers staged a protest in this area over the construction of the embankment, Karan Gilhotra had spoken to military officers on the directions of Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and got the embankment cancelled, and had asked for the embankment to be built in such an area that the interests of both sides could be protected.