Punjab: Farmers climb electricity towers in Sirsa demanding more compensation for land acquired

Sirsa, Jul 8 (PTI) Nine farmers climbed electricity transmission towers in Vaidwala village of Haryana's Sirsa district on Wednesday, demanding enhanced compensation for land acquired to erect the infrastructure. Heavy police deployment was made in the area as a large number of farmers from nearby villages gathered. The farmers climbed down from the towers only after the administration agreed to suspend work on the transmission line until further orders, following a meeting between authorities and farmer leaders. The protest began after farmer Bhupender Singh alleged that employees of the power utility stopped him from entering his field, where work on installing transmission lines was underway. Following an argument, he climbed one of the towers and alerted other farmers, after which eight more farmers, including a differently abled person, joined him. The protesting farmers claimed that the compensation offered for the land used for electricity towers was inadequate and demanded that it be revised on the lines of compensation provided in some other districts, including Sonipat. As the protest intensified, a huge number of farmers from neighbouring villages gathered at the site. Food items and cots were sent to those sitting atop the towers. Heavy police deployment was made in the area to maintain law and order. Later in the day, a meeting was held between district officials, representatives of the power department, and farmer leaders, including Bharatiya Kisan Union (Chaduni) state president Gurnam Singh Chaduni and Pagri Sambhal Jatta state president Mandeep Nathwan. Following the meeting, the administration agreed to suspend the work on the transmission line until further notice, following which the nine farmers climbed down from the towers. Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sharma said the work has been halted for the time being. He said a joint committee comprising officials of the power utility and farmer representatives would be formed to assess land valuation and examine the demand for enhanced compensation before taking a final decision. Officials said a similar meeting between farmers' organisations and the administration held on Tuesday had remained inconclusive. Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Sub-Divisional Officer Kuldeep Singh said the 220 KV double-circuit transmission line was being laid from Chormar power station to Sirsa sub-station to strengthen the electricity supply and provide an alternative transmission route during emergencies. He said the project was in its final stage and would improve power reliability, as the existing Fatehabad-Sirsa-Matana transmission line is a single circuit that is often affected by bad weather and overloading. PTI VSD RUK