November 14, 2010
‘Land acquired, but where’s the industry?’
Mamata Banerjee led a 5-km march from Rajarhat’s interiors to the venue of her public meeting on Saturday. Multitudes of people walked with her. “I have come prepared to Rajarhat,†she said, waving copies of mass petitions that she said were from people from whom land had been forcibly acquired. “Where are the industries in Rajarhat?†she said, charging that land was acquired breaking rules in the name of setting up industries. She said plots acquired at 6,000 were sold at between 20 lakh and 40 lakh by cohorts of CPM leaders. Promoters had a free run. Farm land was converted and water bodies were filled up illegally. “What is the public purpose here, if land was acquired in the name of public purpose,†she asked. About 25,000 acres were acquired, affecting nearly 250,000 people. Many people were forced to accept compensation, many others had not yet accepted compensation money. Mamata promised to stop any further filling up of water bodies at Rajarhat and threatened that the Hidco office would be gheraoed if it prevented the panchayats from functioning in the area and ensuring basic amenities such as electricity and water. She asked a few senior members of the party to form a committee and examine how the land-losers in Rajarhat could be given justice. “We will get in touch with lawyers and move a PIL if necessaryâ€, she said.
Courtesy: The Times of India
Image Courtesy: Sambad Pratidin
