Farmers Rally in Shimla: Demanding Land Rights and Halt to Evictions
Thousands of farmers and horticulturists from across Himachal Pradesh gathered in the state capital, Shimla, to protest against land evictions and demand the regularization of their land holdings. The rally, which saw a massive turnout, began at the Panchayat Bhawan and culminated at Ambedkar Chowk, with farmers carrying placards and banners highlighting their grievances.
Key Demands of the Protest
The farmers are demanding an immediate halt to all land evictions, which they claim are being carried out in violation of established rules and natural justice principles. They are also seeking the regularization of encroached government land, fair compensation for land acquired for developmental projects, and the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
Former Shimla MLA and farmer leader Rakesh Singha addressed the rally, stating that the Supreme Court has already deemed many evictions illegal. He highlighted that thousands of eviction orders issued under the Public Premises Act over the past decade have been either quashed or sent back to the Himachal High Court by the Supreme Court. Despite this, evictions continue unabated, with residential houses being sealed without proper due process.
Natural Disasters and Land Loss
Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, State President of the Kisan Sabha, emphasized the devastating impact of natural disasters like earthquakes, cloudbursts, and landslides on agricultural land in Himachal Pradesh. Over the past two years, large-scale land loss has left many farmers without any land to cultivate or build homes. In such circumstances, evictions are seen as a violation of their right to livelihood.
Government’s Response
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, along with Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi and Education Minister Rohit Thakur, arrived at the rally site to address the farmers. The Chief Minister assured the protesters that no one would be evicted from their land and announced the formation of a committee to address land-related issues. He also promised to take up the farmers’ demands with the central government and push for necessary amendments to existing laws.
Ongoing Legal Battles
Sanjay Chauhan, co-convener of the Apple Producers’ Association, pointed out that a writ petition challenging the regularization of encroached government land under Section 163 of the Land Revenue Act, 1953, is still pending in the Himachal High Court. Despite this, farmers are being served eviction notices under the Public Premises Act.
Farmers’ Next Steps
The farmers have announced plans to hold protests at the sub-division, block, and tehsil levels on April 28 if their demands are not met. They are also seeking the implementation of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, for land acquired for hydroelectric projects, national highways, and other developmental activities.
Broader Implications
The protest highlights the growing tension between development projects and the rights of farmers and landholders in Himachal Pradesh. With natural disasters exacerbating land scarcity, the issue of land rights has become a critical concern for the state’s agrarian community.
As the farmers continue their fight for justice, all eyes are on the state and central governments to address their grievances and ensure that development does not come at the cost of livelihoods.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
