After six-month delay, auction of Jhaloor land today

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, October 24

After a delay of six months, the district administration has announced to auction common land at Jhaloor village tomorrow. Dalits have, however, demanded that the auction for reserved land be postponed till the end of the paddy season since most of them are away from home, working as labourers in various grain markets.

Jhaloor was in news over clashes between Dalit and upper-caste men over the possession of reserved land. Dalits have been demanding that the land must be given to eligible persons and not to dummy people, who place bids at the instance of upper-caste landlords.

“We have got information last evening that the administration will hold the auction on October 25. These days, most Dalits are busy in grain markets. The administration must postpone the auction till the end of the paddy season,” said Balwinder Jhaloor, a district committee member of Zameen Prapati Sangharash Committee.

His mother Gurdev Kaur died after suffering injuries during a clash between Dalits and upper-caste men over the possession of reserved land in the village in October last year.

Due to controversy, the entire 50 acres of common land in the village has been lying unused.

When contacted, District Development and Panchayat Officer Sukhpal Sidhu said they would postpone the auction of reserve land.

“If Dalits have any problem, we will only auction general quota land tomorrow and postpone the auction of reserved land till the end of the paddy season. We will ensure that only eligible persons get the right to cultivate land,” Sidhu said.