Intellecutals slam L govt on land acquisition

Kolkata, Feb 28 (UNI) A forum of intellectuals today slammed the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Government allegedly for forcible eviction of farmers and gagging the voice of dissent while social activist Medha Patkar called upon all sections of people to oppose acquisition of agricultural land.

Under the banner of 'Silpi-Sanskritik Kormi-Buddhijibi Mancha (Forum for artists, cultural workers and intellectuals), a convention adopted a resolution to form a broader platform to fight and mobilise public opinion against the Government's land acquisition move.

Speaking at the convention, Magsaysay and Gnanpeeth awards winner Mahasweta Devi alleged that the Left Front Government was following anti-people policies.

Film maker Aparna Sen said voice of dissent against land acquisition was being throttled in the state.

The convention alleged that while the Government was robbing farmers of their livelihood by taking away their land in the name of industrialisation, the compensation being offered was far too low.

Charging the Left Government with 'lying' on land acquisition, Ms Patkar pledged that she would make it a national issue.

She alleged that not only the land of poor farmers had been taken away in Singur, but they were being subjected to police torture.

UNI