HYDERABAD: Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar has called upon the West Bengal Government to stop what she called its `highhandedness' in dealing with agitating farmers.

At a press conference here on Tuesday, Ms. Patkar denounced on behalf of the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) the killing of six persons in Nandigram village in West Bengal. She charged the Left Front Government with carrying out repression on behalf of the corporates.

Fertile land

"We are appalled at the rude and insensitive attitude of the West Bengal Government with regard to the deaths of farmers and acquisition of fertile land in the name of industrialisation," she said. The Government had acceded about 38,000 acres of prime agriculture land to the Salim Group and issued eviction notices for 19,000 acres earlier this month.

It was time all organisations and progressive political parties stopped the mad rush for agricultural land in West Bengal. "There is urgent need to rein in the West Bengal Government, as it swears in the name of progressive ideology, but follows corporate policies. Instead of having a dialogue with the people, the Left Front is resorting to threats," she said.

Nation-wide stir

The NBA leader released the Action 2007 of NAPM, which focuses on securing livelihood, right over resources for agriculturists, fishermen, tribals and other working people. It throws light on changes in democratic processes and structure of policy. Dignity, social justice and due rights and privileges to dalits, minorities and women would also be covered. The NAPM would launch a nation-wide agitation from January 26 demanding withdrawal of SEZ Act.

She favoured smaller States, as they were always good for development, but said real development would come only through the gram sabhas. She reiterated that Polavaram project should not be constructed. The NAPM activists were planning mass demonstrations on January 30 to oppose the project.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail