Protest in Shimla Against Evictions: Farmers’ Bodies Submit Memorandum to DC

Shimla, April 28:
Members of the Himachal Kisan Sabha, Shimla Nagarik Sabha, and other left-leaning organizations held a strong protest outside the District Collector’s office on Monday. The demonstrators voiced their opposition to recent evictions and fencing of residential properties, which they say are being carried out in the wake of a court directive. The protesting farmers submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, addressing their demands to the state government.

Kuldeep Tanwar, President of the Himachal Kisan Sabha, called for an immediate halt to the eviction of poor families and small-scale farmers from their land. He also demanded an amendment to the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 to empower the state government to allocate forest land. Tanwar stressed that landholdings of up to five bighas currently under farmers’ possession should be regularized, and that the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 must be implemented effectively.

He further alleged that the government had earlier promised to allot two biswas of land in urban areas and three biswas in rural regions, but those assurances remain unfulfilled. Recalling a statewide rally on March 20 during the budget session, Tanwar said people had gathered at the Vidhan Sabha and presented their concerns to the Chief Minister. At that time, the Revenue Minister had assured them of implementing the FRA law, but no concrete steps have been taken since.

Tanwar added that similar memorandums were submitted to DCs and SDMs across various districts on Monday, highlighting the widespread concern over the issue.