Attack on Sikh farmers in Bhuj (Gujrat); Victims see BJP MLA hand behind the attack

Bhuj, Gujrat (October 12, 2013): According to certain media reports four Sikh farmers injured by 30 armed men on Tuesday (Oct. 08) at Loria village near Bhuj city in Gujarat’s Kutch district have named Anjar’s BJP MLA Vasanbhai Ahir as perpetrator.

According to Hindustan Times (HT): “[i]n a formal complaint to Bhuj police, they have named the member of Gujarat legislative assembly (MLA) and his supporters, and are disappointed at no action, so far. Sensing trouble, their families had met police and the district administration five days ago, yet the law machinery couldn’t prevent the attack”.

“The issue, in the allegation of Amandeep Singh (37) of Faridkot district originally, is about 500 acres at Loria, 20 kilometres from Bhuj, which he says was usurped and registered wrongfully in the names of other villagers” HT news report published on Oct. 09 reads further.

“On October 3, a group from Loria questioned our ownership of the land. We showed them the papers, and after satisfying them, started sowing rindi (oil seeds),” Amandeep Singh reportedly told HT over telephone.

“We saw them passing by our farm on subsequent days, and on Tuesday they came in a group to attack us, and threatened to kill us after firing several gunshots”, he reportedly added.

It is notable that along with Amandeep Singh, his relatives Jaswinder Singh (42), Angrez Singh (21), and Harpeet Singh (25) were also injured in the attack. An axe blow broke Jaswinder’s thigh bone. All four are admitted to the Bhuj Civil Hospital. The attackers also demolished a room on the farmland. All attempts to contact the Anjar legislator were futile.

According to information on October 4, Sikh farmers from Loria had approached Bhuj collector Harshad Patel and the deputy superintendent of police. “We got assurances but no help,” said Amandeep. His grandfather, Ganga Singh, and other 22 relatives were allotted the 500 acres in 1964.

“Our families worked hard to make the land fertile. When it has become profitable, politicians and other influential people want to usurp it,” said Surinder Singh Bhullar, one of the farmers who took the Sikh farmers’ battle to the Supreme Court.

According to HT: “[n]early 1,000 Sikh families moved the Supreme Court after the Gujarat government froze their land rights in 2010, based on the plea that they were not farmers. The Sikhs settled in Bhuj post the 1965 conflict with Pakistan won the case in the Gujarat high court, after which the Gujarat government filed a special leave petition (SLP) in the apex court, challenging high court orders”.