Normal life is being completely thrown out of gear in this tiny village situated about 40 km from Mansa, as all roads leading to it are sealed and no vehicles, except those of the police, are allowed entry.

The village has been cordoned off to thwart the entry of members belonging to the 17 farmer labour unions which announced the decision to reach the village in large numbers to uproot the pillars and barbed wire fencing on the controversial 166 acres of land being “forcibly” acquired by the administration for setting up of a private thermal plant, on Tuesday.

No one was allowed to enter Gobindpura except the residents of the village. They too were allowed entry after proving their identity. During a visit to the village, The Tribune observed all religious places and educational institutes were wearing a deserted look. Fear was quite visible on the faces of the villagers, who feared a clash between the police and the activists of farmer unions to take place on Tuesday.

“Police force to such an extent has never been deployed in the history of this village. The heavy deployment of police is indicative of the apprehension of an untoward incident taking place tomorrow. We are praying that the day passes off peacefully,” said Harditt Singh, an octogenarian, while pointing towards the cops who have made a camp office at the village health centre. Fearing the imposition of curfew, many residents preferred to leave the village this morning, after locking up their establishments. “Our school is closed tomorrow since there is a curfew in the village,” said a student, who said his teacher had announced it in the classroom.

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