Farmers' Permanent Protest in Khaira Bet Over Alleged Illegal Mining Disguised as Desilting
A tense standoff has erupted in Khaira Bet, Ludhiana, where farmers and local villagers have established a "Pukka Morcha" (permanent protest front) to challenge what they claim is large-scale illegal mining being masked as routine river desilting. The protestors have vowed to block all heavy machinery, alleging that the operation amounts to a "looting of natural resources" for commercial gain.
Government's Defense of the Flood-Mitigation Project
In response, the Ludhiana district administration issued a detailed statement on Saturday, asserting that the site is a sanctioned "desilting complex" crucial for protecting local settlements. Officials maintain that the work is a legally approved flood-mitigation project, following the devastating 2025 floods that deposited heavy silt layers along river embankments (bandhs), threatening nearby agriculture and residential areas.
The project involves:
- Digging trenches to divert water flow.
- Using excavated river material to strengthen embankments through new boulder stone works and revetments.
Officials confirmed that the work was approved by the Water Resources Department (WRD) and a Technical Advisory Committee, with contracts awarded through an official e-procurement tender. They emphasize that the use of heavy machinery is officially permitted for this time-bound project to ensure timely completion and safety.
Protesters' Allegations and Unwavering Resolve
Despite the government's paperwork and assurances, protesters led by local farmers' organizations remain unconvinced. They argue that the heavy machinery is being exploited to remove sand and silt for commercial profit, with the extracted material valued at "hundreds of crores" of rupees.
Advocate Ravinderpal Singh, a leading voice of the protest, stated, "They can call it desilting or anything they like, but we have firmly resolved that we will not let our village be destroyed." He alleged that the government is presenting the operation as a routine matter while engaging in resource extraction.
Adding to the accusations, Jatinder Pal Singh, a landowner and former president of the Jagraon Municipal Council, claimed that the administration has "manipulated" internal formalities to justify the extraction under the guise of flood safety. This has fueled skepticism among the local community, who view the project with suspicion and distrust.
The standoff highlights a deep-seated conflict between official development initiatives and grassroots environmental concerns, with both sides digging in their heels over the future of Khaira Bet's natural resources and community safety.
