Tag: Nandigram

Bengal observes Singur Utsav

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Singur Utsav was observed in every block of the State today to commemorate the Supreme Court decision quashing land acquisition in Singur (carried out by Left Front government in 2006).

Rallies were taken out by Trinamool activists and supporters in various parts of the State. Cultural programmes were held too. ‘Singur Vijay Diwas’ was observed at Vidhan Sabha, too.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had hailed the Supreme Court’s decision and announced that an administrative review meeting for Hooghly district would be held at Singur on September 14, 2016, at 2 PM. On the same day a ‘Vijay Utsav’ would be held in Singur at 4 PM.

“I would expect everyone to celebrate this Singur Utsav, it’s like an invocation of the celebration to Durga Puja,” the Chief Minister had said.

 

রাজ্যজুড়ে পালিত হল সিঙ্গুর উ९সব

আজ সারা বাংলাজুড়ে ব্লকে ব্লকে পালিত হল সিঙ্গুর উৎসব। মিছিল, সাংস্কৃতিক অনুষ্ঠানের মধ্যে দিয়ে সাধারণ মানুষ সিঙ্গুরে কৃষক আন্দোলনের বিরাট জয়কে পালন করলেন।

২০০৬ সালে টাটা মোটরের ন্যানো গাড়ির কারখানা স্থাপনের জন্য বুদ্ধদেব ভট্টাচার্যের নেতৃত্বাধীন সিপিএম সরকারের সিঙ্গুরে জমি অধিগ্রহণ অবৈধ – সুপ্রিম কোর্টের এই রায়ের প্রেক্ষিতেই এই উৎসব।

বিধানসভাতেও পালিত হো সিঙ্গুর বিজয় দিবস।

সুপ্রিম কোর্টের এই রায়ের পর মুখ্যমন্ত্রী ঘোষণা করেন, আগামী ১৪ সেপ্টেম্বর হুগলী জেলার প্রশাসনিক পর্যালোচনা সভা সিঙ্গুরে অনুষ্ঠিত হবে, সময় দুপুর ২ টো। ওই দিনই বিকেল ৪ টেয় সিঙ্গুরে ‘বিজয় উ९সব’  অনুষ্ঠিত হবে।

Singur movement: A look back in time

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On Wednesday, when the Apex Court of the country ordered the return of acquired land taken by the erstwhile Left Front government within 12 weeks, the chronicle of Singur beacons as the bright reminder of series of incidents. The Singur incident brought a socio-political change in Bengal.

2006

Tata Motors announced the small car factory in Singur on May 18, 2006.

Just after two months, on July 18, the Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee started protesting the issue. The ground of the protest was forceful land acquisition by an elected state government. Mamata Banerjee’s rally at Singur, as a sign of protest – started the historical movement.

The LF government acquired 997 acres of multi-crop farmland to allocate the Tata’s to construct their factory. The rule is meant for public improvement projects, and the LF government wanted Tata to build factory under this rule.

However, amidst the huge protest Tata started to set up their plant in Singur in January 21. By then, they had already promised to produce ‘Nano’ – the affordable car which would cost just above a lakh only.

Intellectuals

The protest had also turned turbulent as many of the internationally famed social activists, and Bengali luminaries had stood beside the movement led by Mamata Banerjee. The protesters – Anuradha Talwar, Medha Patkar, Arundhuti Roy, Mahasweta Devi and others were started to protest saying the location of Tata Motors site is the most fertile one in the whole of the Singur block. The local population depended on agriculture. Almost 20,000 farmers are making their livelihood from the multi-crop land.

Hunger strike

On December 3, 2006, Mamata Banerjee started her indefinite hunger strike for 26 days.

In the meantime, the rape case of Tapasi Malik had stunned the entire country. The fenced off area of the Nano-factory, which has been continuously guarded by the policemen, where allegedly guarded by cadres of the CPI (M) party as well. The girl, Tapasi malik, who was one of the protesters, was allegedly gang-raped and burnt to death by those CPI(M) cadres. Later, a CPI (M) leader, a zonal committee leader, Suhrid Dutta was arrested by CBI.

2008

On August 2008, Mamata Banerjee started indefinite dharna at Singur. Tata Motors suspended development work on Nano factory on September 2, 2008.

On September 3, 2008, then governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi agreed to play a mediator to resolve the issue between government and the Trinamool Congress but in vain.

Tata Motors decided to move out from Singur and conveyed the decision on October 3, 2008.

Maa Mati Manush government

In May 20, 2011, Mamata Banerjee became the Chief Minister of Bengal and announced in her first Cabinet meeting that they will return the 400 acres land to the unwilling farmers for the Singur. An ordinance to that effect was promulgated but it was challenged in court.

Land in Singur will be returned within time frame set by court: Mamata Banerjee

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Land in Singur will be returned within the time frame set by court, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said today.

The Supreme Court Wednesday set aside the land acquired the West Bengal Government in 2006 to facilitate Tata Motors to set up its plant for the Nano car. Calling it a landmark victory, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said she stands vindicated.

 

A strategy meeting was held in Nabanna today to discuss the process of return of land. It was attended by various ministers, departmental secretaries, MLAs and advisors to the government.

The survey of the land in Singur will begin tomorrow and will be completed within two weeks, the Chief Minister said. She added that those who did not take the money for compensation will be given their dues, as per court verdict.

The land will be made suitable for agriculture, the Chief Minister said. “We have also decided to give possession to bargadars as per land records before acquisition,” she added.

 

Click here to read the 10 things Mamata Banerjee said on the Singur Verdict

 

সময়সীমার মধ্যেই আমরা জমি ফেরত দিয়ে দেব: মুখ্যমন্ত্রী

সুপ্রিম কোর্টের বেঁধে দেওয়া সময়সীমার মধ্যেই আমরা জমি ফেরত দিয়ে দেওয়া হবে সিঙ্গুরে, জানালেন মুখ্যমন্ত্রী।

বুধবার এক ঐতিহাসিক রায়ের মাধ্যমে সুপ্রিম কোর্ট জানায়, ২০০৬ সালে টাটা মোটরের ন্যানো কারখানার জন্য সিঙ্গুরে জমি অধিগ্রহণ বৈধ নয়। রাজ্য সরকারকে দ্রুত জমির দখল নিতে নির্দেশ দেয় শীর্ষ আদালত।

সুপ্রিম কোর্টের এই রায়কে যুগান্তকারী ও ঐতিহাসিক জয় বলেছেন মাননীয়া মুখ্যমন্ত্রী মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়। আজ নবান্নে একটি বৈঠক হয় সুপ্রিম কোর্টের নির্দেশ মেনে সিঙ্গুরের জমি কীভাবে কৃষকদের ফেরত দেওয়া যায়, তা স্থির করতে।

বৈঠকে স্থির হয় যে কাল থেকে সিঙ্গুরে জমি জরিপের কাজ শুরু হবে যা আগামী ২ সপ্তাহের মধ্যেই শেষ করা হবে। যারা জমির কম্পেন্সেশন নেননি, তাদের আমরা কোর্টের রায় অনুযায়ী ক্ষতিপূরণের টাকা দেব, জানালেন মুখ্যমন্ত্রী।

তিনি আরও বলেন যে সিঙ্গুরের জমি চাষযোগ্য করেই ফেরত দেওয়া হবে। বৈঠকে ও ঠিক হয় যে জমি অধিগ্রহণের আগে বর্গাদারদের যেমন পসেশন ছিল, সেরম ভাবেই জমি দেওয়া হবে।

Landmark verdict, we have been vindicated: Mamata Banerjee on Singur verdict

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“I feel a lot of joy today on this historic verdict. Mingled with the joy there are also tears of joy,” this was the reaction of Mamata Banerjee after the Supreme Court of India set aside the land acquisition by West Bengal Government in 2006 to facilitate Tata Motors to set up its Nano plant.

We have been saying all along the land acquisition in Singur was illegal. We have been vindicated, she added.

 

Here are 10 things Mamata Banerjee said:

The farmers of Singur did not part with their land against all odds. We salute them.

I feel a lot of joy today on this historic verdict. Mingled with the joy there are also tears of joy. Now I can die in peace.

We will organise a Vijay Utsav in Singur. On September 2, we will observe Singur Utsav in every block of Bengal.

We do not believe in forceful acquisition of land. We believe in negotiation.

CPI(M) committed historic suicide not ‘historic blunder’ in Singur.

People are the biggest pillars of democracy. They had given their verdict in 2011. Supreme Court has given verdict today.

We are missing Mahasweta Di today. She was a pillar of strength during Singur andolan. She would have been happy today.

Nandigram carnage happened right after Singur. Then there was Netai massacre. We salute all martyrs.

This (Singur verdict) is the first gift we got after renaming of our State. Bangla Ma is happy today.

Bengal is the final destination for industry.

 

 

ঐতিহাসিক রায়: সিঙ্গুর প্রসঙ্গে বললেন মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়

“আজ খুব আনন্দের দিন। খুশির সাথেই চোখে জল চলে আসছে,” এই ছিল মুখ্যমন্ত্রী মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের প্রতিক্রিয়া সুপ্রিম কোর্টের সিঙ্গুর রায় সম্বন্ধে।

আমরা বরাবর বলে এসেছি সিঙ্গুরের জমি অধিগ্রহণ ছিল বেআইনি। আজ সত্যের জয় হল, তিনি বলেন।

আজই সুপ্রিম কোর্ট ২০০৬ সালে টাটাদের ন্যানো কারখানার জন্য সিঙ্গুরে জমি অধিগ্রহণকে অবৈধ ঘোষণা করে।

 

সিঙ্গুর রায় নিয়ে মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের প্রতিক্রিয়ার অংশবিশেষ:

এটা গণদেবতার জয়, অনশনের জয়, মা-মাটি-মানুষের জয়।

আগামী ২ সেপ্টেম্বর সব ব্লকে ব্লকে আমরা সিঙ্গুর উ९সব পালন করব। সিঙ্গুরে আমরা বিজয় উতসব করব।

সবুজ ফসল যার অধিকার, যারা আমাদের ধান ফলায় তাদের জমি জোর করে আমরা অধিগ্রহণ করব না।

সিঙ্গুর সিপিএমের ‘ঐতিহাসিক ভুল’ নয় ‘ঐতিহাসিক আত্মহত্যা’।

গণতন্ত্রে মানুষই সব। ২০১১ সালে মানুষ তাদের রায় দিয়ে দিয়েছে, সুপ্রিম কোর্ট আজ তাদের রায় দিলেন।

আজ আমরা মহাশ্বেতা দেবীকে মিস করছি। সিঙ্গুর আন্দোলনের সময় উনি ছিলেন আমাদের প্রেরণা।

সিঙ্গুর, নেতাই, নন্দীগ্রামের সমস্ত শহিদদের আমাদের শ্রদ্ধা জানাই।

রাজ্যের নাম বদলের পর এটি আমাদের প্রথম উপহার। বাংলা মা আজ খুশি।

বাংলাই এখন বিনিয়োগকারীদের গন্তব্য।

আমি এখন শান্তিতে মরতে পারবো।

Do not vote for the perpetrators of Nandigram: Abhishek Banerjee at Diamond Harbour

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Trinamool Youth Congress President and MP Abhishek Banerjee on Monday addressed a campaign rally for the 2016 Assembly Election at the Sarisha High School Ground in Diamond Harbour for the candidates of Diamond Harbour and Falta Assembly segments.

In his speech, the firebrand leader said that the candidates belonging to the Congress-CPI(M) alliance do not have the ethical right to ask for votes. The current Congress leaders fight for themselves and not for their party, he said. He asked the party workers present in the meet whether they will vote for the murderers of Nandigram and Netai.

The Trinamool Youth Congress President criticised the Leader of the Opposition saying that after 2011, he became a former minister and after 2016, he will become a former MLA.

Criticising the ongoing slander campaign taken up by the rainbow alliance of Congress-BJP-CPI(M) against the Trinamool Congress, he said that the opposition is having dreams to return to power will remain unfulfilled.

Nandigram Divas: 9th anniversary of the massacre during CPI(M) rule

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Mamata Banerjee led a procession today to commemorate the martyrs who fell to the bullets of police and cadres, under the instructions of CPI(M).

In January 2007, farmers in Nandigram erupted in protest against a proposed special economic zone (SEZ).

On March 14, the then Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya sent 2,500 policemen to ‘recapture’ Nandigram, but unofficially, they were accompanied by CPI(M) cadres.

Officially, 14 farmers died in the firing, but over 100 were declared “missing”. A similar attempt in November by the cadres finally ‘recaptured’ Nandigram. Buddhadeb Bhattacharya showed no remorse as he said, “They (farmers and Trinamool activists) have been paid back in their own coin.”

In its final report, the People’s Tribunal on Nandigram had called the violence of March 14, 2007 a “pre-planned, state-sponsored massacre” carried out “to teach a lesson” to people opposing the SEZ project on their land.

The Tribunal report, handed over to Gopal Krishna Gandhi, Governor of West Bengal on August 8, also called for the re-arrest of the ten CPI(M) cadres taken into custody earlier by the CBI but let off on bail due to the deliberate laxity of the West Bengal State police in filing charges against them within the statutory period.

 

Remembering the martyrs of political violence in West Bengal during CPI(M) rule

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The Left Front rule helped engender a lexicon of political violence in the West Bengal during its 34 years in power.

The A to Z of political violence:

  • A … Ananda Margi Massacre, 1982: 7 Ananda Margis charred to death on a bridge
  • B … Bantala, 1990: 3 health officers returning from an immunisation programme raped and killed by a mob. The then Chief Minister Jyoti Basu simply said, “Such things happen.”
  • C … Chhoto Angaria, 2001: 11 Trinamool workers burnt to death in their houses
  • D … Dhantala, 2003: 6 women, including four minors, raped

…

  • M … Marichjhanpi Massacre, Sundarbans, 1979: Police opened fire at refugees
  • N … Nandigram, 2007: 14 farmers shot dead in broad daylight; Netai, 2011

…

  • S … Sainbari,1970: Members of a family murdered by CPI(M) goons. The mother of the family was then fed rice mixed with the victims’ blood.
  • T … Tapasi Malik, 2006: She was raped and murdered

On January 2007, farmers in Nandigram erupted in protest against a proposed SEZ.

The then CM  Buddhadeb Bhattacharya showed no remorse as he said, “They (farmers and Trinamool activists) have been paid back in their own coin.”

Thankfully, the dark days of political vengeance are over. Under Mamata Banerjee, peace has prevailed in West Bengal now. The people are smiling once again.

 

 

বাম আমলে রাজনৈতিক হিংসার বলি শহীদদের স্মরণ

বাম আমলে ঘটে যাওয়া কিছু রাজনৈতিক প্রতিহিংসার ঘটনা, যা অত্যন্ত লজ্জাজনক ও নিন্দনীয়। ফিরে দেখা যাক সেইসব রক্তাক্ত ইতিহাসের দিনগুলিঃ

সাঁইবাড়ি – ১৯৭০ সালে বর্ধমানের সাঁইবাড়িতে এক পরিবারের সদস্যদের হত্যা করে সিপিএমের গুন্ডাবাহিনী। তারপর রক্তমাখা ভাত খাওয়ানো হয়েছিল তাদের মাকে।

মরিচঝাঁপি – ১৯৭৯ সালে শরণার্থীদের ওপর পুলিশের মাধ্যমে গুলি চালিয়েছিল।

আনন্দ মার্গী – ১৯৮২ সালে জীবন্ত মানুষদের পুড়িয়ে মারা হয়েছিল।

বানতলা – ১৯৯০ সালে একজন স্বাস্থ্য বিভাগের কর্তা তার একটি কর্মসূচি থেকে ফেরার সময় ধর্ষিত এবং নিহত হন। তখন মুখ্যমন্ত্রী জ্যোতি বসু বলেছিলেন ‘এরকম ঘটনা ঘটে থাকে’।

ছোট আঙ্গারিয়া – ২০০১ সালে তৃণমূল কর্মীদের নিজেদের বাড়িতে পুড়িয়ে হত্যা করা হয়েছিল।

ধানতলা – ২০০৩ সালে ৬ জন মহিলাকে ধর্ষণ করা হয়েছিল।

তাপসী মালিক – ২০০৬ সালে তাপসি মালিককে ধর্ষণ করে খুন করা হয়েছিল।

নন্দীগ্রাম – ২০০৭ সালে ১৪ জন কৃষককে দিনের আলোয় গুলি করে হত্যা করা হয়েছিল। সরকারি হিসেব অনুযায়ী বলা হয়েছিল ১৪ জন কৃষক নিহত হয়েছিল এবং ১০০ জন নিখোঁজ ছিল। ২০০৭ সালে নভেম্বর মাসে সিপিএম এর ক্যাডার বাহিনী নন্দীগ্রাম দখল করার চেষ্টা করেছিল। তখন তৎকালীন মুখ্যমন্ত্রী বুদ্ধদেব ভট্টাচার্য বলেছিলেন, ‘ওদের ভাষাতেই ওদের জবাব দেওয়া হয়েছে’।

এই রক্তে রাঙানো দিনগুলি এখন অতীত। পশ্চিমবঙ্গে এখন অনেক শান্তি। চারদিকে উন্নয়নের জোয়ার বইছে। বাংলা এখন হাসছে।

 

WB CM mulls eco-tourism, fisheries village at Nayachar

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The West Bengal government was considering several projects, including a fisheries village, eco-tourism hub and a solar plant for Nayachar, an island on the Hooghly river in East Midnapore district, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday.

On Monday, Mamata Banerjee went around Nayachar with a group of industrialists trying to figure out the island’s suitability for eco-tourism or other similar projects.

Later, addressing a rally at Nandigram in East Midnapore, the Chief Minister said her government was planning to promote an eco-tourism project on the island.

“We will see what can be done at Nayachar. We are working on several ideas like a fisheries village, an eco-tourism project and a solar plant. We will discuss and take a decision,” she said.

Banerjee, however, firmly ruled out construction of a chemical hub. “We won’t allow any chemical hub there.”

WB CM plans to boost eco-tourism at Nayachar

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In her three-day visit to East Midnapore, starting today, West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee visited Nayachar. The West Bengal Chief Minister traveled to Nayachar taking the water route.

The West Bengal Chief Minister was accompanied by a team of industrialists. The Chief Minister and the team of the industrialists scouted the place as a possible eco-tourism destination. From Nayachar the Chief Minister headed for Tekhali in Nandigram.

She later held an administrative review meeting at Nandigram.

On Tuesday, WB CM will attend an administrative meeting in Digha and will launch the helicopter service from there to Kolkata on Wednesday. After the launch, she will return to Kolkata in a helicopter.

Nandigram a milestone in my life: Mamata Banerjee

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Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today inaugurated 106 projects and lay the foundation stone of 42 more in East Midnapore district. She also launched the ‘Sabuj Sathi’ project in the district during a public meeting at Nandigram.

WB CM distributed different agriculture and fishing equipment, pattas, cycles, loans to the beneficiaries. Besides this, many people received financial assistance under different schemes. Students got bicycles under Sabuj Sathi scheme.

The Chief Minister laid the foundation stones for the office the district magistrate and an administrative building, water supply projects, bus stands, godowns, road projects, irrigation projects, State Welfare Home at Contai, animal welfare centres, health centres and some other projects.

The CM inaugurated Matangini Hazra Women’s College (Phase I), district training centre, water supply projects, public welfare training centre, road projects, renovation of canals, bridges, several new attractions at Digha, besides some other projects.

Highlights of WB CM’s speech:

  • We have inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several projects in different sectors today.
  • Three new ITIs will come up in East Midnapore. 4 new multi super speciality hospitals will come up in this State.
  • We are developing Krishak Bazars for our farmers. We have given compensation to 7 lakh people after floods in Midnapore.
  • 1.5 lakh students will get cycles under Sabuj Sathi scheme in this district. By January, 25 lakh students will get cycles.
  • From 27 January, 2016, 7 crore people in Bengal will get food grains at Rs 2/kg. We are ensuring ‘Food For All’.
  • 100% coverage has been achieved for mid-day meal, rural electrification in East Midnapore.
  • 30 lakh girls have been registered under Kanyashree scheme.
  • We have registered 14 lakh SC/ST students under Sikshashree scheme.
  • We are providing loans and subsidies to self-help groups in the state.
  • I have never forgotten Nandigram. Singur-Nandigram have been milestones in my life.
  • I can never forget the sacrifices made by people of Nandigram. We can never forget the atrocities in the name of sunrise.
  • The atrocities carried out in Nandigram were a dark chapter in the history of Bengal. We will never allow them to repeat.
  • We have approved Ghatal Master Plan for flood prevention.
  • We have taken several initiatives in education sector for Nandigram.
  • We are planning to promote environment-friendly, eco-tourism at Nayachar. We will not allow chemical hub there.
  • We are allocating Rs 10 crore for a new higher secondary school here.
  • We will build a Martyr’s Memorial and a Cultural Convention Centre here.
  • It is because of your struggle that we came to office in 2011.
  • We have not achieved financial freedom till now. We increased our revenues but Centre takes away major share of our taxes.
  • The Left incurred huge debt. We inherited their legacy. Neither Congress nor BJP govt at Centre helped us.
  • We have introduced reservation for OBCs and minorities without reducing the no. of seats for general category.
  • We believe in ‘Health for All’. Beds and medicines at govt hospitals are free. We have set up fair price medicine shops.
  • The logo of Sabuj Sathi scheme was made by me. It signifies the power of youth. They will win over the world one day.
  • Despite all the financial hardships, the amount of work we have done in the last four years is unmatched.
  • আর নেই দরকার বামফ্রন্ট সরকার। চাই মা-মাটি-মানুষের সরকার।
  • ভুলতে পারি নিজের নাম, ভুলবো নাকো নন্দীগ্রাম। নন্দীগ্রামের আরেক নাম সংগ্রাম, সংগ্রাম।
  • I am happy to be back in Nandigram. Stay safe, stay healthy.