Sangma appeals to Banerjee to end fast

Shillong, Dec 17 (UNI) Former Lok Sabha Speaker and NCP leader Purno A Sangma today appealed to Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee to call off her indefinite fast against acquisition of farm land for Tata Motors' project at Singur in in West Bengal.

'' Yes, she had a valid point but West Bengal and the country cannot afford to lose her, '' Mr Sangma said in his second appeal to Ms Banerjee.

The former Lok Sabha Speaker told reporters here that he was not happy with the West Bengal government's land policy at Singur as it had deprived the land rights of the farmers.

'' Development and employment must be needed but not at the expense of agricultural land, he observed.

'' I am not against setting up of special economic zones but one should not go recklessly, '' he said pointing out that China's policy on SEZ had landed up with regional imbalance, uncontrolled migration and changes of demographic patterns.

'' India should not repeat China's mistake and be very selective in setting up SEZz, '' he stated.

UNI RRK SJC RD 1440