Mann Runs Into Panchayats' Fury Over Land Pooling Policy

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab is facing rising resistance from village communities across the state as its contentious land pooling policy triggers widespread backlash.

- HARPREET BAJWA @Chandigarh

At the heart of the protest is the government's plan to acquire 65,533 acres of land across 21 cities and towns to develop industrial and residential zones.

As of now, at least 107 village panchayats have formally passed resolutions rejecting the state's land pooling notification. Many more are expected to follow in the coming days, signaling a deepening standoff between the government and rural Punjab. Senior Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) leader and president of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU-Lakhowal), Harinder Singh Lakhowal, said the resistance is intensifying despite CM Bhagwant Mann's assurances that land acquisition will remain strictly voluntary.