Restore land forcibly taken at Singur: Mamata

08 August 2008

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.