Sikh farmers in Kutch sceptical

Chandigarh: Farmers settled in Kutch remain sceptical of Narendra Modi’s assurance that they will not be evicted from their land. Speaking at the Jagroan rally today, Modi had said that vested interests were spreading canards in this regard.

Sikh farmers, allotted land in the Kutch region of Gujarat in the sixties, were sent eviction notices by the Gujarat Government. The notices were challenged by the farmers in the Gujarat High Court that gave a verdict in their favour. But the Modi Government filed an SLP ( Special Leave Petition) in the Supreme Court against the order.

“We welcome Modi’s assurance. We will welcome Modi with garlands if he orders the withdrawal of the SLP filed by his government in the Supreme Court”, said Surinder Singh Bhullar, a farmer from Gujarat.

Lachhman Singh Brar, who lives in Bhuj district, said they would be relieved only if the Modi Government withdrew the SLP. Dr Ajaib Singh, member, National Commission for Minorities, said assurances alone would not suffice. The Gujarat Government would have to withdrew the SLP to win over the Kutch farmers’ trust.

Farmers Prithi Singh, Mohan Singh, Bhajan Singh, Jasbir Singh, Naib Singh and Harnam Singh said Modi should instruct his revenue officials to withdraw the government appeal.

Source: The Tribune