Stop eviction of villagers, SC panel directs Punjab
Darpan News Desk IANS, 18 May, 2022 09:51 AM
Chandigarh, May 18 (IANS) Taking note of the Punjab government's decision for issuing eviction orders against Scheduled Caste residents in Ludhiana district, who are living there since independence, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Chairman Vijay Sampla on Wednesday issued a notice and asked the state to reply in 15 days.
Besides, the NCSC also asked the government to stop the eviction drive and maintain status quo.
In a complaint to the NCSC, residents of Bhama Kalan village said they have possession of 200 acres in the village since 1947.
"Since 1947, we are utilising the land for agricultural and residential purposes. We have electricity and water connection, besides other government identification documents on these addressees.
"But now, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government is asking us to immediately vacate the land. This is not justified as the children have to attend the local school. We can't vacate the land and shift our elderly people, especially those who are unwell. We request the NCSC to please help us and protect our land," the villagers rued.
However, invoking relevant clause Section (7) of the rules of procedures of the commission, the NCSC asked the state Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, the Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana and the SSP to maintain the status quo until the matter is pending.
The NCSC warned the officers that no Scheduled Caste should be forced to vacate the land and if found otherwise, the commission will take necessary action against the erring officers as per the Prevention of Atrocities Act of 1989, as amended from time to time.
The Fourth Additional District and Session's Court Judge B.R. Pallavi has convicted Adithya Rao (37), the accused in the case. He was found guilty under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act 1908 and Section 16 of the Prevention of Unlawful Activities Act 1967. He has also been fined Rs 10,000.
The first of the session commenced with Pro-tem Speaker Inderbir Singh Nijjar administering the oath of office and secrecy to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as Member of the Vidhan Sabha. Breaking the convention, all women members were administered oath after the Chief Minister.
The ruling BJP and opposition Congress, meanwhile, locked horns in the assembly over the bandh. The BJP sought action against those who are going against court verdict and the Congress maintained that they have the right to protest.
The plea sought a direction to the SEC to conduct the municipal elections in Delhi, according to the initially conceived schedule, before the expiry of the tenure of the Municipal Corporations of Delhi, in May 2022, in a free and fair manner. The petition contended that the SEC, on March 9, issued a press note for holding the polls in April.
Modi met Morrison in Washington for their first in person meeting after the Covid-19. This meeting was held last September on the margin of Quad leaders summit 2021.
The SYL canal, the major portions of which were completed in the 1990s at a cost of over Rs 750 crore, is entangled in a political and legal quagmire with Punjab and Haryana unwilling to give up their respective stands on the controversial canal issue and sharing of river water.
