Farmers Storm the towns  of Himachal Against Evictions, Demand Regularization Policy

Shimla | Thousands of farmers across Himachal Pradesh took to the streets on Tuesday, protesting against eviction from their lands. Under the joint call of the Himachal Kisan Sabha and Himachal Seb Utpadak Sangh, farmers raised slogans against the government, demanding an immediate halt to evictions and a concrete policy to regularize encroachments.Kotkhai: Protest Over Illegal Occupation of Government Land, Demand Letter to Be Submitted to Administration.

Formet Theog MLA Rakesh Singha led a protest in Rohru saying that over 40000 marginal farmers await pending allocation of land and the state government did not demarcate the forest land as notification of 1952 and forest Rights Act was not implemented in the state as hill people are forest dwellers.

In Kotkhai, Protesters led by Sanjay Chauhan, CPM leade demand that land under the possession of marginal and small farmers be regularized under Section 163A of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 2002.

The demonstrators insist that each marginal and small farmer should be granted at least five bighas of land, ensuring that their total landholding reaches ten bighas for sustainable livelihood.

Given Himachal Pradesh’s challenging geographical conditions and recurring natural disasters, they argue that a minimum of ten bighas is essential for farmers to secure their livelihood.

A formal demand letter will be handed over to the administration, urging the government to implement this regulation in favor of small and marginal farmers.

The protestors emphasize that without this step, thousands of farming families in the region will struggle to survive.

In Shimla, around 110 farmers gathered outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office, staging a strong demonstration before submitting a memorandum to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Rural).

Farmers argued that they have been cultivating these lands for generations, but now the government is trying to force them out.

"A Conspiracy to Displace Farmers"

Addressing the gathering, Himachal Kisan Sabha state finance secretary Satyawan Pundeer, state committee member and Kasumpti unit secretary Jai Shiv Thakur, farmer leader Pratap Thakur, and CITU general secretary Prem Gautam slammed the government for its eviction drive.

They warned that if the authorities do not stop forced evictions and frame a policy, the protests will intensify.

They demand that evictions should be stopped. The government should implement forest rights Act in the state. The farmers should be given 10 bighas of land. 

Strong Support from Farmer and Labor Leaders

Former Pradhan Heera Nand Shandil, CITU president Vijendra Mehra, labor leaders Jagat Ram, Jagmohan Thakur, Mahesh Verma, and Kisan Sabha members Mast Ram, Babu Ram, Jagdish, and Chetan also participated in the protest, extending their support.

The farmers have made it clear—if their demands are ignored, they will take the fight to the Vidhan Sabha (State Assembly) with a larger movement.

The big question remains: Will the government listen before it’s too late?