Clash over land acquisition in North 24 Parganas leaves 25 injured

Barasat, Mar 17 (UNI) At least 25 people, including a few police personnel, were injured in a clash between the police and villagers over land survey for acquisition at Dogachhia of Deganga Block in North 24 Parganas district.

The mob, enraged over survey of land to be acquired for industrial ventures by Vediocon and Reliance, gheraoed the Deganga Block Development Officer and torched two police vehicles.

The clash occurred just within 72 hours of the violence at Nandigram in which 14 people were killed in police firing.

Police said they had to resort to lathi charge as the mob turned violent.

The District authorities had earlier issued notification for acquiring nearly 2000 acres of nine mouzas of Deganga Block, including a large area of Kaliyani Beel (water bodies), with a view to provide land to industrialists like Vediocon and Reliance on long-term lease.

Locals, however, alleged that the Block development Office earlier stated that they revoked the notification, but today turned up with equipment to conduct survey of the said land.

UNI