Land dispute triggers farmer protest; takeover stalled

Bathinda: A probable showdown was averted at Jhotiwala village in Faridkot district on Monday after a money lender failed to turn up to take possession of a 1.25 land parcel despite a court order in Faridkot district.The court of civil judge (junior division) on April 8 allowed Raghbir Singh to take possession of the land. This led members of farmer organisation Kirti Kisan Union, including women, to gather at the site to prevent the takeover. However, Raghbir Singh did not arrive at the fields. It was in 2015 that Himmat Singh, a farmer, borrowed Rs 11.50 lakh from Raghbir Singh to send his son abroad by mortgaging his land. While the farmer returned Rs 5 lakh, a sale deed of the land was executed as a guarantee for return of the remaining amount. Raghbir Singh approached the court on April 16 to enforce the deed. Rajinder Singh Deep Singh Wala, general secretary of the farmer forum, argued that the sale deed was executed in good faith. "As the farmer is willing to return the remaining amount with interest, the money lender should settle the issue. We will not allow him to take possession of the land," he added. Raghbir Singh was not available for comment, but one of the villagers said he has the right to take possession. MSID:: 130785467 413 |