PEASANT UPSURGE:Singur to Nandigram

Singur, home to a flourishing agriculture community, 40 km from Kolkata, is located in the district of Hoogly of West Bengal. It is a multi-crop area, and, according to Dr. Subra Sinha, a famous geologist. Lies in the most fertile tract of land world, producing rice, wheat, vegetables and jute in abundance. Small peasants, agriculture labour and small traders constitute most of the population of Singur (20,000). Despite opposition from most of the peasants and activist and suggestions of alternative sites, less fertile, the Government of West Bengal has acquired 997 acres of mainly multi-crop land through the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 and already leased out to Tata Motors, at a subsidized rate, through the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation for setting up a small car factory.

The opposition parties contradict the government’s claim that 960 acres of land were given away willingly by the owners. They allege that almost 30 per cent of the owners did not give their consent to the take over and refused to accept cheques.

Recent developments have made it abundantly clear that the Government’s narrative is full of half-truth and doctored lies. Determined to push through the project, they unleashed violence, on an unprecedented scale, on the farmers. They did not even spare women and children. It is shocking to see a Government claiming to protect common people’s interests, turning against them in a vicious display of violence.

Nandigram, a rural area in the district of Purba Medinipur of West Bengal, is situated on the South bank of the river Haldi, opposite the industrial city of Haldia. It is at a distance of 150 km from Kolkata and falls under Haldia Development Authority. Agriculture and estuarine fishing are principal economic activities. The area has witnessed little development. Most of the populations are poor or middle peasants.

The government of West Bengal selected the area for setting up a Special Economic Zone (Chemical Hub) to be developed by the Salim group of Indonesia, without taking into confidence the people to be affected by the takeover of land for the purpose. Now, the people of Nandigram are well aware of the fact that many people who lost their land because of Haldia Industrial Complex were neither properly compensated nor most of them found any employment in the industrial complex.

Nandigram has a long tradition of resistance and played a heroic role in the freedom struggle. They were not in a mood to be taken for a ride. To protect their interests they formed an organization called ‘Bhoomi Ucched Pratirodh Mancha’ and launched a sustained movement.

14th March : Black Day

The Haldia Development Authosity issued a notice regarding acquisition of land in 29 mouzas for setting up the chemical hub. This led to widespread resentment and protests from many farmers. In the night of 6th January, a violent clash between CPIM cadres and people, unwilling to part with their land, left six dead. The police remained a mute spectator. Nandigram decided to defend itself and destroyed bridges and dug roads at some points so that police and armed CPIM cadres could not enter the area. This continued for 2 months and half until, on 14th March, a huge contingent of heavily armed police force, accompanied by armed CPIM cadres, opened fire on unarmed women and children who were peacefully protesting the entry of police and cadres. Without any provocation police and CPIM cadres opened fire, killing at least sixty people, although the official figure is fourteen. Many were grievously wounded and many missing. There are horrific stories of molestation and rape of young girls and women. This is state terrorism at it’s worst.
Till today many injured people are fighting for their life. People are still in a state of trauma at the barbarism unleashed by a so-called people’s government.

The Governor of West Bengal and the legal community have condemned the incidence in strong possible words. The High Court of Kolkata has ordered CBI inquiry into the matter. According to the report submitted by the CBI, it is clear that it was pre-planned attack to kill people to break their resistance and forcibly enter the area.