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| Bharat Priye leads massive protest in border village Nikowal over power cut, farmers’ issues | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 22: JKPCC Kisan Department President J&K UT Bharat Priye under the banner of Border Farmers Welfare Association today led a strong protest demonstration at Village Nikowal, a last border village situated on the zero line in Pargwal Tehsil of Khour Sub-Division, Jammu district. More than 100 aggrieved farmers participated in the protest, raising slogans against the Power Development Department (PDD), the District Administration Jammu, and the Tehsildar Pargwal over the continuous suspension of electricity supply for the last 72 hours. The protesting farmers alleged that the PDD disconnected power on the grounds of non-payment of electricity bills.
Addressing the gathering, Bharat Priye strongly criticized the authorities for what he termed as “inhuman and insensitive action” against the farming community of this border belt. He said that the farmers have already suffered heavy crop losses due to monsoon rains, floods, and unseasonal rainfall, leaving them in severe financial distress. “How can the farming community be expected to clear electricity bills when their crops have been destroyed and their livelihoods badly hit?” he questioned, demanding immediate restoration of power supply and waiver of electricity tariffs in the larger interest of the distressed farmers.
Bharat Priye emphasized that border farmers of Nikowal are facing double hardships — natural calamities on one hand and administrative neglect on the other. He demanded adequate and handsome compensation for farmers whose land has been acquired under border fencing. He said that compensation should be provided at par with the rates given to landowners whose property has been acquired under the Ring Road project, ensuring fairness and justice to border residents who sacrifice their land in national interest.
Highlighting the unique challenges faced by residents living along the zero line, Bharat Priye demanded that each affected farming family be allotted at least five marlas of safer plot at secure locations. He asserted that families residing in border villages constantly live under threat and uncertainty, and therefore deserve special rehabilitation measures from the government. He also sought special provisions for recruitment of youth from this border village into the armed forces as a recognition of their contribution and sacrifices.
The JKPCC Kisan leader further demanded the construction of a proper irrigation channel for the farming community of Nikowal, stating that lack of irrigation facilities continues to hamper agricultural productivity in the area. He urged the administration to immediately assess the ground situation and implement long-pending irrigation projects to support sustainable farming in the border belt. |
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