Member Parliament Shamsher Singh Manhas raised the issue of border farmers in Rajya Sabha in zero hour. Manhas made a fervent appeal to the Defence Minister that either the order of land vacation should be revoked or provide an alternate land to the farmers of Khour Block so that their livelihood cann’t be snatched.MP RS Shamsher Singh Manhas in Rajaya Sabha said that few days back a deputation of farmers have apprised him and raised concerned about the vacation of their agricultural land in block Khour of Jammu district. The farmers of village Chak Malal and Dhaloti in Jammu region are scared about the livelihood of their wards and future as Defence Ministry has issued an order to vacate the agriculture land which is 14 KM away from Line of Control.Manhas while raising the issue in Rajya Sabha said that land adjoining to the Line of Control was acquired by the Defence (Army) after 1965 war with Pakisant for security reasons.
This agriculture land is 14 KM away from the Line of Control which falls in Chak Malal and Dhaloti village of Khour block of Jammu region. Livelihood of more than thousand families dependes upon this agriculture land.He said Defence Ministry has now issued an order asking farmers to vacate this agriculture land who are ploughing their agriculture land. This order may snatch the livelihood of these border farmers of two villages. He said that people of the border areas are already suffering from cross border firing and another such step will harm their familes which are totally dependent on agricultural activities. He made a request with Defence Minister to revoke such order or either provides an alternate land to these farmers so that farmers will get some relief. He said that keeping in view about the sufferings of more than 1000 families which were affected through the decision and remind that central government is committed to provide equitable development. (CNS)