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Fatehgarh Sahib village panchayat's eviction resolution triggers migrant exodus

Fatehgarh Sahib village panchayat's eviction resolution triggers migrant exodus

Time of India14-07-2025
Patiala: The panchayat of a village in Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib district passed a resolution last week calling for the eviction of unidentified migrants within a week, claiming that they had been growing marjuana plants and committing thefts.
T
he resolution, one that could be described as xenophobic and does not stand the test of law, triggered the departure of several migrant workers over the weekend, as they reportedly lacked identification documents. These workers left the village, Lakhanpur Garchapati near Khamano, under unclear circumstances, taking their belongings but leaving behind temporary shelters which had been set up on forest land.
According to police, these individuals were relatives of four migrant families from Bihar who had been residing in the village for long and possessed valid identification. The new arrivals had reportedly come to Lakhanpur Garchapati for seasonal agricultural work as part of the ongoing paddy sowing season.
The SHO of Khamano police station, Sapinder Singh, confirmed that an inspection was carried out after the panchayat's complaint.
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"The migrant families residing permanently in the village have proper identification documents. Those who were under scrutiny for lackingany ID proofs have since left the village," he said. "Their makeshift dwellings still remain, but they are unoccupied."
Barinder Singh Binda, the sarpanch of Lakhanpur Garchapati, defended the decision, citing rising safety concerns. "We had to act after several villagers raised the alarm regarding their safety, especially of women and children," he said.
"Within just three weeks, a group of migrants without any identification had begun residing in the village. During this period, a motorcycle had been stolen in the village and thefts had been reported at the village's main groun.
In case they had any ID proof including Aadhaar card, we wouldn't have instructed them for eviction"
He alleged that marijuana plants were being cultivated near the migrants' makeshift dwellings.
"The presence of these banned plants raises questions about potential involvement in drug-related activities," Binda added. "We do not discriminate against anyone based on caste, religion, or region. Other migrant families with proper documentation have been part of our village for years without any issues."
However, the police claimed that the village panchayat never reached police with complaints of snatching or drugs. Police said marijuana plants were usually grown at abandoned places in villages, which was common. Authorities have not launched any formal investigation into the allegations of theft or drug activity but continue to monitor the area.
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