After Mudki Morcha stir, now mega protest in Faridkot over concrete lining of twin canals

Residents of Faridkot are opposed to concrete lining of the canals on the ground that it will affect the groundwater recharge. The residents don’t want this project for the 8-km stretch which passes through their city.

This was the second mega protest within a week after the one held at Ghall Khurd village in Ferozepur district on April 5.

Rajinder Singh Deep Singh Wala, general secretary of Kirti Kisan Union (a farmers’ union), said, “We object to it as we don’t find any scientific approach to carrying out this project. If the officials can’t convince us, they shouldn’t go ahead with the project in the areas where people are protesting. Now, we have been told that they will be stalling the concrete lining of Sirhind canal in the 8-km stretch passing through Faridkot, but they are silent on Rajasthan canal, which is a canal of the Rajasthan government. It takes water from Punjab which goes till Bikaner. So, Punjab can always convey it to Rajasthan government about the protests in our state.”

On Tuesday, protesters marched through the city of Faridkot and also along the stretch of canals where the concrete lining has been proposed.

A dharna near the twin canals in Faridkot has been going on since March 29, while in Ferozepur it’s been going on since March 15.

Rajasthan canal starts from Harike, it passes through Faridkot, Ferozepur and Muktsar districts before entering Rajasthan. Sirhind canal originates from Ropar and heads southwest to Doraha in Ludhiana district. At Doraha it splits into three – Abohar branch, Bathinda branch and Patiala branch. Each of these further splits extensively to irrigate a large area of Malwa region (Punjab).

Villagers at Ghall Khurd in Ferozepur have been protesting under the banner of Mudki Morcha. On April 5, they had even announced to oppose the AAP candidate for the upcoming Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll. However, no such call has been given by protesters in Faridkot.