Yamunanagar
Farmers from several villages in the district observed black Diwali yesterday. They have been sitting on an indefinite dharna in front of the gate of the New Grain Market in Jagadhri against the closure of the

Dadupur-Nalvi Canal project.

The farmers held a march up to the Deputy Commissioner’s residence from the dharna site and sat there on the road. They raised anti-government slogans wearing black ribbons on their heads. They also

carried empty sweet boxes and dry diyas to lodge their protest.

Deputy Commissioner Rohtash Singh Kharb came out of his residence and met the protesters. He appealed to them to end their dharna and solve their problem through talks.

Kashmir Singh, president of the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, told the Deputy Commissioner that they had met all MLAs of the district demanding release of the enhanced compensation for their land acquired for

the Dadupur-Nalvi Canal project. He said instead of fulfilling their demand, the state government denotified the land acquired for the project.

“We don’t have money to celebrate Diwali. Therefore, we have brought empty sweet boxes and dry earthen diyas,” said Kashmir Singh. He added that the government should not close the canal project and

instead release the enhanced compensation to farmers.