Mohali police on Monday morning detained several farmer union leaders and landowners in preventive custody. The action came ahead of a planned protest against the 3,864-acre Aerotropolis land acquisition project that affects eight villages in the area.
The farmers had called for a boycott of the formal administrative process where the competent authority assesses compensation and rehabilitation benefits for landowners. They had also announced plans to stage a protest outside the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) office in Sector 62.
Early Morning Raids and Detentions
Police conducted early-morning raids and detained several farmer leaders from their homes. BKU (Lakhowal) leader Nachattar Singh Baidwan was detained and taken to the Mataur police station, according to the original story.
The detentions were carried out to prevent the farmers from gathering and protesting against the land acquisition process. The administrative process for awarding compensation to landowners was set to begin on the same day.
Farmers' Opposition to the Aerotropolis Project
Farmer unions and landowners from the affected villages have been opposing the acquisition of their land for the Aerotropolis project. They argue that the compensation offered is inadequate and that the project will displace families from their agricultural livelihoods.
The boycott call was a direct challenge to the government's land acquisition process. By refusing to participate in the compensation assessment, the farmers aimed to stall the project's progress.
Our Take: A Pattern of Preventive Detention
The early-morning detentions of farmer leaders in Mohali raise serious questions about the right to peaceful protest. While the government has the responsibility to maintain law and order, preventive custody before any protest has even begun sets a troubling precedent.
In our view, the farmers' concerns about fair compensation and rehabilitation deserve a proper hearing. Instead of detaining leaders, the authorities should engage in meaningful dialogue with the affected landowners. The Aerotropolis project may bring development, but it should not come at the cost of crushing dissent and ignoring the rights of those who stand to lose their land and livelihoods.