Mumbai: Tata Motors should ask the West Bengal government to ensure that land acquired from farmers ''against their will'' was returned, if it wants the Singur car plant to start normal operations, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said today.

She said she was open to the idea of talks with the management of the Tatas Motors `Nano' plant in Singur, which is facing violent protests and political opposition against forcible land acquisitions.

The violent protests are threatening to delay the long-awaited launch of the Rs1,00,00 `Nano', hailed as the world's cheapest car.

While Tata Motors may not be averse to talking to anyone, Mamata said she wants the state government to act. ''The state government should take the initiative,'' she said, adding, Talks with the Tatas can follow.

The state government, meanwhile, strengthened security at the project site after the Trinamool Congress threatened to stage sit-ins outside the site from 24 August until the government returns to the farmers the 400 acres (out of a total 997 acres) forcibly acquired for the plant.

Mamata said her party has never been against the plant or Tata Motors and the only issue was the return of the land forcibly taken from hapless farmers by government agents. She also called it a ''fight for survival'' for the poor farmers.

Protesters on Wednesday, meanwhile, threatened to break the factory wall to reclaim their land.

The West Bengal government took possession of nearly 1,000 acres of farm land for the factory. While the government claims it offered compensation in return, some farmers complain they did not receive their dues. Some of the farmers who have refused to give away their land are declining compensation.

Tata Motors propose to start production of the Nano in the third quarter of the current fiscal (October-December) 2008.

The project will give direct employment to about 2,000 and to about 10,000 others, including vendors and other service providers.