Congress condemns farmers' rounding up in Punjab

Chandigarh, Jul 25: Opposition Congress in Punjab on Sunday lashed out at the SAD-BJP government, saying the rounding up of farmers protesting against acquisition of their land in Mansa district was "draconian" in nature.

"There is a hue and cry across the country over acquisition of agricultural land, without the consent of the farmers and without fair market price," Punjab Congress spokesman Sukhpal Singh Khaira said here.

He said rounding up of farmers of Mansa district yesterday for peacefully protesting "unfair and forceful" acquisition of their agricultural land was "draconian".

"More saddening is the fact that on one hand Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his party claim to be the sole champions of farmers and on the other hand, they are forcing the farmers to part with their land and that too for a private company," Khaira alleged.

Congress demands that the SAD-BJP government should for the time being put this acquisition on hold as the UPA government is likely to bring a legislation at the national level for land acquisition during the ensuing Parliament Session, he added.

PTI