Thousands Gather at Secretariat, Demand Justice and Policy Reforms
“Our Land, Our Livelihoods: Himachal Farmers Fight Against Evictions”
The streets echoed with slogans as thousands of farmers and apple growers from across Himachal Pradesh marched to the state secretariat, their voices united against forced evictions and the uprooting of their apple orchards. The protest, led by the Himachal Kisan Sabha and Himachal Apple Producers Union, came days after the Supreme Court temporarily halted the cutting of apple trees—a move that offered little relief to families already displaced.
“We Have Nowhere Left to Go”
Carrying placards and shouting slogans, farmers shared heartbreaking stories of being forced off their land—some after decades of cultivation. Many now live under plastic tarps, braving the monsoon rains.
“If the government can’t give jobs to our youth, why take away the land that feeds us?” asked an elderly farmer from Shimla district, his hands calloused from years of labor.
Sanjay Chauhan of the United Farmers Union voiced the crowd’s frustration: “Whose interests are being served by demolishing the orchards of poor farmers, Dalits, and widows? These trees are our children’s future.”
A Flawed System, A Broken Promise
Rakesh Singha, State Secretary of the Kisan Sabha, accused authorities of bypassing legal procedures in evictions. *”Families were granted land under *Nautor* or as Chakota holders before 1980, but due to paperwork delays, they’re now being labeled ‘encroachers’,”* he said.
The protesters demanded:
- Immediate halt to evictions and house sealing.
- Land rights for small farmers (minimum 5 bighas per family).
- Strict action against officials violating forest rights laws.
Government’s Response: Promises, But Will They Deliver?
After hours of protest, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu invited farmer leaders for talks. The government pledged to:
- Advocate for farmers in the Supreme Court.
- Issue orders to stop tree cutting and sealing.
- Form a committee to draft a “farmer-friendly” land policy.
The Revenue Minister warned officials against harassment, urging farmers to report violations directly to him.
Yet, skepticism lingers. “We’ve heard assurances before,” muttered a woman from Kullu, her apple saplings wrapped in cloth as if for a funeral.
What Next?
The farmers have given the government 15 days to act. If no action comes, they vow to escalate protests across all blocks starting August 13.
“This isn’t just about land,” said a young farmer. “It’s about whether Himachal values those who feed it.”
Why This Matters
With 68% of Himachal classified as forest land, the clash between conservation and livelihoods has left thousands in limbo. As climate change threatens hill agriculture, the state’s policies could decide if farming families survive—or vanish.
