Title: Regarding situation arised due to the S.K. firing range of IAF station Halwara, Jagraon in the district of Ludhiana, Punjab.
(BHATINDA): Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I would like to raise the following matter during `Zero Hour’ today.
A serious situation has developed regarding the S.K. Firing range of IAF station Halwara, Jagraon in the district of Ludhiana, Punjab.
Initially the range was planned at Sidhwan Kalan which is about 30 kilometres from the present site but then it was transferred to its present site due to some political pressure.
The farmers of adjoining nine villages used to cultivate this piece of land and for this, they used to pay IAF dues regularly for the last 30 years. Now, IAF stopped these farmers from farming on the land which farmers themselves made cultivable with their own money and toil as earlier vide the letter of Ministry of Defence No. 11026/1/75/D(Land) dated 16th May, 1976, it was agreed to give this land to the present farmers on nominal rates.
But now, as the IAF went back from its commitments, the lives of about 20,000 people dependent on this piece of land has become totally vulnerable. … (Interruptions)
उपाध्यक्ष महोदय : भान सिंह भौरा जी, जीरो-आवर में नियम ३७७ के अन्तर्गत जो सूचना होती है उसे पढ़ने का नियम नहीं है।
SHRI BHAN SINGH BHAURA : Along with the stoppage of farming, another problem which the people of this area is facing is that they have to cross on an average extra 25 to 30 kilometres as six roads adjoining the land has been blocked by the IAF, though the hon. Supreme Court has observed earlier that the roads cannot be blocked by the IAF.
Regarding this problem, the local population are agitating for some time now and if proper remedial measures are not taken forthwith, the situation may turn to a fiery one.
Therefore, I demand that the concerned Departments of the Union Government take up the issue immediately and take appropriate measures to normalise the situation.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Shri Bhan Singh Bhaura, this is `Zero Hour’. जीरो-आवर में पढ़ने की इजाजत नहीं है।