Medha Patkar again detained on way to Singur

Dankuni, West Bengal, Dec 5 (UNI) Social activist Medha Patkar was intercepted by police on her way to Singur today as the Narmada Bachao Andolon leader sought justice from West Bengal Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi over acquisition of agricultural land for Tata Motros' small car factory.

''I have talked to Mr Gandhi. I have sought redressal of the injustice being committed on farmers, ''she told reporters before setting out for Singur in Hooghly district.

However, shortly after she left here for Singur, police detained Ms Patkar on Durgapur Expressway.

Official sources said she was being brought to Kolkata by police.

This was the third time over the past five days that Ms Patkar was prevented from entering Singur where prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr Pc had been clamped following violent incidents involving protestors and police.

Earlier in the day, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said he was prepared to hold talks with Ms Patkar but would not allow her to visit Singur.

''I am ready for talks with her. But I shall not allow her to go to Singur,'' he told reporters at the Writers' Building.

CPI(M) state secretary Biman Basu alleged that Ms Patkar's action was similar to that of the leaders of developed countries trying to scuttle the progress of developing nations.

One of the associates of Ms Patkar alleged that the social activist was arrested along with one of her companions Anuradha Talwar.

''There was no women police. Police stopped Ms Patkar and dragged her into a vehicle,'' he said.

He said earlier in the day, the Chief Minister had rung up Ms Patkar and had talks with her.

Denying that Ms Patkar had gone for a hunger strike, her associate said it was as a mark to refuse official hospitality, the social activist had refused to take food offered by the Government guest house where she had been staying since yesterday.

''She was offered food by the guest house employees. But she refused to accept it, saying she was the guest of the villagers and not the Government and hence, she could not afford to insult the local people,'' the associate said.

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