Thousands of Himachal Farmers protest evictions, demand Land Rights
Shimla, March 20,
Thousands of farmers and horticulturists from across Himachal Pradesh converged on Shimla today, marching to the Vidhan Sabha to protest against ongoing evictions and demand land regularization. The demonstration, organized by the Himachal Kisan Sabha and Apple Producers Association, saw a massive turnout, with participants carrying banners and placards highlighting their grievances.
The protesters, led by prominent figures like former MLA Rakesh Singha and Kisan Sabha State President Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, rallied at Ambedkar Chowk after a procession from Panchayat Bhawan. Singha, addressing the crowd, condemned the evictions as illegal, citing Supreme Court rulings that deemed such actions without proper orders and due process as a violation of natural justice. He highlighted the plight of residents whose houses, even those built on Nautod land, were being sealed without proper demarcation.
Also read:Farmers protest against evictions in Himachal, demand Govt. action
Dr. Tanwar emphasized the vulnerability of Himachal’s farmers to natural disasters, arguing that evictions in the face of earthquakes, floods, and landslides amounted to a violation of the right to live. He also criticized the government’s land acquisition practices for development projects, alleging non-compliance with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
Sanjay Chauhan, co-convener of the Apple Producers Association, raised concerns about the pending writ petition in the Himachal Pradesh High Court regarding the regularization of encroached land under a amendment to the Land Revenue Act 1953. He argued that despite the pending case, farmers were being served eviction notices under the Public Permissions Act, and that the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 was not being properly implemented.
The intensity of the protest prompted Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, along with Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi and Education Minister Rohit Thakur, to address the rally. Sukhu assured the farmers that no evictions would occur and announced the formation of a committee, headed by Negi, to address land-related issues. He also pledged that the state government would become a party in the ongoing Godabarman case in the Supreme Court and would hold meetings with farmers to discuss their demands, with the aim of raising these issues with the central government and advocating for legislative amendments.
The farmers’ demands included a stay on all evictions until a larger bench is constituted by the Supreme Court to address the complexities of land ownership and forest classifications, as per the Neeta Ram vs. State of Himachal Pradesh case. They also demanded the rejection of the 1952 notification classifying all wastelands as forests, the provision of land to landless farmers and those affected by natural calamities, and the regularization of Nautod land. Further demands included fair compensation for acquired land, resolution of pending land ownership cases, and the provision of livelihood support for roadside vendors.
The rally concluded with a call for further protests at the sub-division, block, and tehsil levels on April 28, 2025, signaling the farmers’ determination to continue their struggle for land rights and justice. Speakers such as Dr. Omkar Shad and district-level leaders like Kushal Bhardwaj, Narayan Chauhan, Purna Thakur, Devki Nand, Satpal, and Rajendra Thakur also addressed the rally.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
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