Badal assurance to solve farmers-Trident Group issue

Chandigarh, June 27 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister today categorically stated that there would no forcible acquisition of agricultural land by the government, except in limited cases where the interests of the state are involved.

Replying to the issue related to the acquisition of agri land by the Trident Group of companies in Barnala district during Zero Hour in the Vidhan Sabha here, the Chief Minister sought to assure the House that the issue would be amicably solved. He informed the members that he had called the affected farmers and owners of the Trident Group and had discussed the issue in detail and was hpeful that a solution would be found.

"The issue would be solved in accordance with the wishes of the farmers", he told Avtar Singh Brar (Cong) who had raised the matter in the House.

The Chief Minister sought to remind the members that it was during the perious Congress rule that the matter had cropped up. The then government had ordered the police to fire upon the farmers who were protecting the acquisition of their land by the industrial group, he added.

"I have give strict instructions that the police will not resort to a lathi charge on the protesting farmers", he added.

UNI