Date:29/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/29/stories/2007062955321400.htm

National

Mamata to oppose chemical hub

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: If the West Bengal Government is determined to set up a chemical hub in the State, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is as determined to oppose it.

“Acquiring land belonging to peasants for setting up a chemical hub or special economic zone (SEZ) in the State will not be allowed,” Ms. Banerjee, who was behind the movement against the proposed hub at Nandigram that finally led the State Government to withdraw, asserted here on Thursday.

She ridiculed Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s note, recently sent to all political parties having a representation in the Assembly, for their opinion on an alternative site for the chemical hub. “We are against chemical hubs and SEZs in the State and shall not reply,” Ms. Banerjee said.

“Lakhs of acres of land are being grabbed forcibly in the name of industrialisation; the fundamental right to property is being flouted. Who has given the Government here the authority to do so?” Ms. Banerjee asked, charging the Left Front Government with “selling off the land” to int

Ms. Banerjee said she would lead a delegation of peasants from Nandigram and Singur to meet the Prime Minister on July 2 to bring his attention to the forcible acquisition of farmland for industry.

She said a procession would be taken out by volunteers with begging bowls in Delhi on Friday and in Thiruvananthapuram on July 7 in protest.