Medha to challenge arrest,seek permission to visit Singur

Kolkata, Jan 11: Social activist Medha Patkar today said she would file a suit before Calcutta High Court challenging her arrest and seeking permission to visit Singur and Nandigram.

Ms Patkar was booked under Section 151 (Apprehension of breach of peace) in the city yesterday when she headed towards Singur, the proposed site of the Tata's small car project, about 30 kms from here.

She first began her protest by observing fast.

She was produced before a city court this morning which granted her an unconditional bail.

Ms Patkar broke her fast in the crowded office in Alipore court bar association amidst slogans by a section of lawyers who said, ''Medha we are with you. Don't be afraid to fight the injustice.'' Standing at the corridors of the court, she said, ''I will file a petition to fight injustice and corruption of the West Bengal government.'' She also said she was planning to organise a nation-wide movement against the CPI(M) led Left Front government's move 'to snatch away farm lands from the people and throwing them into perpetual poverty'.

Accusing the government of violating democratic rights and breaking the law to suppress her movement, Ms Patkar said she would fight "to the end" against acquisition of farm land.

The Narmada Bachao Andolan leader also vowed before the crowd that she would visit Singur and Nandigram, the proposed chemical hub by the Indonesian Salim group.

Ms Patkar was kept in 'preventive custody' before being formally arrested as she attempted to visit Singur yesterday.

She had been on a fast since yesterday protesting against the West Bengal government's land acquisition policy.

UNI