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SINGUR STRUGGLE IS FOR LIFE, LIVELIHOOD, TRUE DEVELOPMENT VIOLATION OF HUMAN & DEMOCRATIC RICH IS OF FARMERS-LABOURERS
FAVOURING CORPORATES IS UNACCEPTABLE Since May 2006, the Singur Krishi Jamin Raksha Committee
(SKJRC), a joint platform of local farmers, sharecroppers and agricultural
workers, lias been leading the movement in Singur against tlie coercive,
undemocratic and non-transparent acquisition of land by the West Bengal
Government for the Tata Motors Small Car Project. 997 acres of multi-cropped,
fertile land is to be handed over to the Tatas for this project. The entire process of acquisition of land by the State has
involved the use of force since September 2006 and the absence of consent or
dialogue with the affected people. A large police force was mobilised to effect
this acquisition. Private security guards_and the police have not just
protected the area since 30 November, but also resorted to brutal atrocities
including death of a youthTrape and murder of 17 year old Tapasi Malik. Use of Section 144 to cordon off the site of the plant is an
expression of complete disregard for the democratic rights of the local
population as well as their supporters proving the official claim of "consent"
to be false. There is also an unabashed reiteration by the Government of West
Bengal that farmers have given their land willingly despite the fact that the
farmers first put in their petitions on 17 July refusing to give up their land.
The SKJRC, representing the people of the area, till today insists that at
least 45-50% of the farmers have not given their land. It has repeatedly
presented documents including affidavits and land papers to tlie press to
validate this fact..The project also totally ignores the rights of the
hargudurs, estimated in the range from 600-1200 and large number of
agricultural workers, some of whom are years long residents and others come
from neighbouring districts. With total exclusion of the people affected from the decision-making
process, as against the official propaganda,documents establish that 45-50% of
farmers, excluding absentee land lords, have not given consent for the
corporate take over of land. The whole project is being executed in total
secrecy. There is no public knowledge of the terms on which Tata Motors is
being given the land, the way in which land will be used. Further, there is no
transparency with respect to cost - benefit analysis, project impact
assessment, environmental impact assessment from a social viewpoint, tax and
other concessions provided for the project and the commitment and
accountability of the Tatas. The requests under RTI Act too are not responded
to. On the other hand, no options of waste land, land closed industries,
available at places within WB are considered. The unconcern & callousness
towards the farmers, sharecroppers & others crying halt to destruction of
farms & livelihoods,is shocking and unacceptable. We can't support
unjustifiable, forcible transfer of people's resources for a profit making
enterprise There are better alternatives within Industrialisation and new
paradigm of development too is close to our vision but no dialogue is initiated
by tlie callous government ot'WB. In Singur, we thus have the echo of all that is happening in
other parts of the country- land acquisition in secrecy for a deceptive public
purpose, but with only large corporate liouses benefiting; llie collusion
between the Government and the corporate sector, depriving & pauperising
farmers & other unorganised; destruction of food security and water
resources; the use of the police force to quash any kind of resistance. The
onslaught faced and the battles which are on in Maharashtra, Orissa, Uttar
Pradesh, Jharkhand, We call upon the Government of West Bengal to And we call upon the Government of India to
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