Farmers Scale High-Tension Towers in Sirsa Over Land Compensation Dispute
Nine farmers climbed electricity transmission towers in Vaidwala village of Haryana’s Sirsa district on Wednesday, demanding enhanced compensation for land acquired to erect the infrastructure. The protest, which drew a large crowd from nearby villages, prompted heavy police deployment in the area.
The farmers descended from the towers only after the administration agreed to suspend work on the transmission line until further orders. The decision followed a meeting between district authorities and farmer leaders, including Bharatiya Kisan Union (Chaduni) state president Gurnam Singh Chaduni and Pagri Sambhal Jatta state president Mandeep Nathwan.
Protest Triggered by Alleged Harassment
The protest began when farmer Bhupender Singh alleged that employees of the power utility stopped him from entering his field, where work on installing transmission lines was underway. After an argument, Singh climbed one of the towers and alerted other farmers. Eight more farmers, including a differently abled person, joined him in the protest.
The protesting farmers claimed that the compensation offered for the land used for electricity towers was inadequate. They demanded that it be revised on the lines of compensation provided in other districts, such as Sonepat.
Administration Halts Work, Forms Joint Committee
As the protest intensified, a huge number of farmers from neighbouring villages gathered at the site. Food items and cots were sent to those sitting atop the towers. Later in the day, a meeting was held between district officials, representatives of the power department, and farmer leaders.
Following the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sharma announced that work on the transmission line has been halted for the time being. He said a joint committee comprising officials of the power utility and farmer representatives would be formed to assess land valuation and examine the demand for enhanced compensation before taking a final decision.
Project Details and Purpose
Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Sub-Divisional Officer Kuldeep Singh explained that the 220 KV double-circuit transmission line was being laid from the Chormar power station to Sirsa sub-station to strengthen electricity supply and provide an alternative transmission route during emergencies. He said the project was in its final stage and would improve power reliability, as the existing Fatehabad-Sirsa-Matana transmission line is a single circuit that is often affected by bad weather and overloading.
Officials noted that a similar meeting between farmers’ organisations and the administration held on Tuesday had remained inconclusive.
