Villagers oppose land pooling scheme involving land of martyrs

Time of India

8 hours ago

Jagraon: A land pooling scheme proposed by the Punjab government has sparked strong opposition in a village named after Second Lieutenant Shaheed Rachhpal Singh Garewal, a decorated Indian Army officer who laid down his life during the 1965 Indo-Pak war.
The scheme includes land awarded to families of martyrs and ex-servicemen in recognition of their bravery, prompting villagers to rally against what they see as a disrespectful and unjust move.
The village, formerly known as Aligarh, was renamed Shaheed Rachhpal Singh Nagar in 1969 to honour the memory of the young officer who was commissioned into the 14 Rajput Regiment in February, 1964 and attained martyrdom near Chawinda Railway Station in the Sialkot sector on September 20, 1965.
His cousin, Surjeet Singh Garewal, told TOI that the family was allotted 30 acres of land by the government in recognition of his sacrifice. Of this, 22 acres have now been included in the land pooling scheme.
"This land is not just soil—it is a symbol of sacrifice and national pride," said Surjeet Singh. He added, "My uncle had four sons. Two passed away, one was martyred, and the fourth, Jasmail Singh Garewal, lives in Canada.
I take care of the land now. It is unfortunate that the government is trying to take the land of martyrs. We will not allow this to happen."
The controversy doesn't end with Rachhpal Singh's family. Land belonging to Babu Singh, a soldier who died fighting in Africa during World War II, and Naib Subedar Mewa Singh, who lost a leg in a mine blast around 1946, has also been included in the acquisition list.
Kulwant Singh, 75, son of Babu Singh, said his father was awarded 30 acres of land for his bravery.
"The government is now trying to take away 20 acres of that land under the scheme. This land is a legacy of my father's sacrifice. We have an emotional and historical connection to it, and we will not give it up."
Balwinder Singh, also 75, son of Naib Subedar Mewa Singh, said, "My father was injured in a mine blast while on duty and lost his leg. After retiring in 1946, he was allotted 25 acres of land in Pakistan for his service.
After Partition, we were given equivalent land in this village. Now, the government wants to acquire this land. We depend entirely on it for our livelihood, growing three crops a year. The compensation being offered is nowhere near the value of the land or its significance.
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The villagers argue that the land pooling scheme, while aimed at development, fails to account for the emotional and historical value of the land awarded to families of martyrs and war heroes.
They believe that such land should be exempt from acquisition, given its symbolic importance and the sacrifices associated with it.
Hardeep Singh Laali, husband of village sarpanch Manjit Kaur, said the government is attempting to acquire around 130 acres in the village, including land belonging to two martyrs and one injured ex-serviceman. "Even when an animal is sold, both the buyer and seller must agree. Here, the government is trying to take away land without proper consent.
The gram panchayat has passed a resolution opposing the scheme, and we stand with the farmers.
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Laali emphasised that the villagers are prepared to go to any extent to protect their land. "We understand the emotions tied to this land. It's not just about agriculture—it's about honour, legacy, and respect for those who gave their lives for the country."
As tensions rise, the villagers remain united in their demand: land awarded for bravery must remain untouched.
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