5 lakh people leave crops on Punjab border; Army to lay land mines

AMRITSAR: Punjab villages bordering Pakistan wore a deserted look on Friday, as Army convoys moved towards the border. Over 5 lakh people from Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Fazilka districts were asked to evacuate to safer areas. Most were famers waiting for the onset of harvesting season.

The exercise has instilled a war-like feeling. Punjab has a 553 km international border with Pakistan separated by an electrified barbed-wire fence. Villages close to Ferozepur — Hzareywala, Rajo Ki Ghati, Machiwara within 10 km of the international border — were the first to be evacuated as the Army wanted to lay land mines and asked people to move out as fast as they could. The evacuation started on Thursday and most did not have a place to go, except Gurdwaras or other shrines in nearby towns.

“We just left our home immediately, fearing shelling. It has happened in the past and we didn't want to take any chances.

The government doesn't seem to have made any substantial arrangements so far. Most of us would either be staying at some community centre or look for a relative nearby,” said Chamkaur Kaur, who owns a small farm on the border. Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal has directed the chief secretary Sarvesh Kaushal to immediately release Rs 1 crore, each, to all border districts to meet the exigency. Badal also hinted that the state may pay if farmers had to stay for a longer time away from their homes. "All I fear is my crop. It has to be harvested in the coming few days,” says Armer Shangara Singh.