Jaya urges Govt to abstain from forcible land acquisition

Chennai, Jan 11 (UNI) AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa today urged Tamil Nadu government not to resort to forcible acquisition of farmlands to set up Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial parks in the state.

She termed as ''autocratic'' the government's reported announcement that it would set up a SEZ and a satellite city near Coimbatore by acquiring 2,000 acres of land in Vellalur and Chettipalayam areas.

As farmers of those areas were dependent only on the agricultural lands for their livelihood, they had opposed the government's move tooth and nail, she said in a statement here.

She also referred to the agitation held by the farmers in front of the Coimbatore District Collectorate after the Collector reportedly refused to meet them in this regard.

Alleging that the DMK Government had been indulging in anti-farmer measures ever since assuming office, Ms Jayalalithaa warned that her party would join hands with the farmers in their struggle against forcible acquisition of farmlands.

UNI