Ludhiana: Farmers affiliated with various organisations under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) are set to stage a large-scale tractor march today across 116 villages in Punjab, protesting the state government’s proposed land pooling policy.
The biggest demonstration is expected in Ludhiana district, where the government plans to acquire 45,861 acres of land — including 24,311 acres for residential projects and 21,550 acres for industrial zones.
The tractor march will begin from several villages in Ludhiana, including Kumkalan, Balion, Dakha, Jodhon and Jagraon, said SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal.
“This will be the biggest march in recent times, as people in rural areas want to express their anger against this attempt to take away their fertile lands and evict them from their homes,” Rajewal said.
Meanwhile, the police have stepped up surveillance in the region, as hundreds of tractors have already begun arriving for the protest.
