Land dispute in West Bengal

In its major drive towards industrialization, the West Bengal (leftist) government has decided (May 16, 2006) to acquire 1,253 acres of agricultural lands at Singur (covering 11 villages) for the construction of a "Tata Motors" plant. The project affects more than 5000 families, however, the decision was made without any public consultation.

Actually there is un-arable land available for Tata but the company insists to take the fertile land which can turn into a real estate venture in the near future. The one time compensation is much lower than market price (52%) and is only available to male land owners, excluding women and agricultural labours.

An international fact finding team (FFM) reached the site in September, 2006 to look into the possible human rights violation in relation to the government take over of land for Tata Corporation. The report was released in October 2006 and can be downloaded here (pdf).

On 25-26 September, the first day cheques were being handed over to those who had agreed to part with their lands, hundreds of protesters were severely injured in the police assault and 72 put behind bars. The latest crack down took place on 2nd December, 2006, the day also marked the anniverary of the Bhopal Gas Disaster in 1984.

Undoing leftist mistake?

The story behind is more complicated, related with the political history of West Bengal. The government of West Bengal has been ruled by left wing political parties for 30 years, since 1977. The government had adopted a "deindustrialization" policy for 25 years and in recent years decided to take up aggressive industrialization stance.

The peasant protests against the Tata car plant was presented as "Maoist attack", the state's chief minister claims that Tata is to manufacture "people's car" (more from BBC), while the protesters insist that the Leftist parties have been deviated from their concern for the grassroots.

On 4 December, the parliment was paralysed by a strike (bandh) leaded by Trinamul Congress against police oppression of protesters. Two other bandhs are expected to take place on 5 and 14 of December (infomation from Ohmynews international)

An online petition against police violence can be found here and here.

Video description: Abadbhumi, a documentary film based on the forcefull aquisition of farmer's land by West Bengal Government on behalf of TATA Motors. To protest the move taken by West Bengal goverment please sign the petiion against it.

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