The Border Security Force (BSF) issued an urgent directive on late Saturday, instructing farmers along the India-Pakistan border to complete their harvesting and clear their fields within the next 48 hours. This measure comes as tensions rise following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists last week.
This heightened security directive affects thousands of farmers whose agricultural land lies in the sensitive zone between the border fence and the zero line. For the border communities in Punjab, this represents a unique challenge, as they cultivate approximately 45,000 acres of land along the 530-kilometre-long international boundary.
Gurdwaras in villages across Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Fazilka districts have been broadcasting warnings to farmers. These announcements inform them that access gates to the forward areas will soon be closed. If the security situation worsens, farmers could find their access to their lands restricted indefinitely.
“The BSF personnel have been pressuring farmers for the last two days, urging them to finish their work in the fields and warning that the gates will be closed due to vulnerable circumstances,” said Raghbir Singh Bhangala, a farmer from the border village of Bhangala.
“We rely on cattle feed, which we use throughout the year. As long as peace prevails, we should be allowed to continue working,” he added.
The directive arrives at a crucial agricultural time, as wheat harvesting has already been delayed in some areas due to recent rains. While the primary wheat harvest is largely complete, many farmers still need to process wheat straw, an essential resource for cattle fodder throughout the year.
“Additional machines have been permitted to reach the fields along the border to finish the work quickly. However, the warnings issued by the BSF have created fear among the farmers,” explained Surjit Singh Bhoora, a farmer from another border village.
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“We can’t complete everything in two days. The threat of the gates being closed hangs over us. Farmers are also worried about how they will sow paddy in the future if the situation worsens,” he added.
In Ferozepur district, Lakhwinder Singh, a farmer from Raja Rai village, acknowledged the difficulty of the situation: “Although more than 80 per cent of wheat harvesting is completed, it’s still challenging to gather the ‘straw’ for cattle fodder within the given timeframe.”
BSF officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the directive is part of heightened security measures prompted by rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. The attack has already resulted in a downgrade in diplomatic relations and the closure of significant border crossings between the two countries.
“We understand the concerns of our farmers, but national security remains our top priority,” said a senior BSF official. “We urge all farmers to cooperate fully to avoid any inconvenience in the future.”
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The heightened vigilance comes as unharvested crops could potentially obstruct the visibility of border patrols and may be used as cover during infiltration attempts from across the border. Ensuring that the fields are cleared allows the BSF to strengthen its surveillance capabilities along the sensitive frontier.
The situation is further complicated by reports that Pakistan has reinforced its ranger deployments along the international border, particularly in the Jammu region, where additional forces have been stationed opposite Kathua, Samba, and Jammu districts.
“Farmers are the worst sufferers in times of tension between the two countries. Their livelihood directly depends on the border situation,” noted Surjit Singh Bhoora. “If we face any difficulties, we will approach senior BSF officials.”
Some farmers have suggested that the administration should provide additional harvesting equipment to help meet the tight deadline. “The administration must step in and help farmers by providing more reapers to collect the straw as quickly as possible,” urged Lakhwinder Singh.
After videos of the announcement surfaced on social media and were broadcast on TV channels, Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney clarified that no such announcement had been made by the BSF.
The Deputy Commissioner stated, “I have spoken with BSF officials. The administration urges citizens to disregard such baseless rumors and verify information through official channels. If any doubts arise, citizens are advised to consult local authorities such as patwaris, tehsildars, or district administration officers.”
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