Indefinite protest at Singur; Ratan Tata concerned

Kolkata, Aug 22: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has proposed indefinite agitational programme at Singur from Aug 24 demanding that land should be given back to the farmers.

Reacting to this, Tata group chairman Ratan Tata has expressed concern at situation over the small car project even though asserting that he was against relocating the project from West Bengal. Ratan Tata, who is in the city to attained Tata Teas' Annual General Meeting (AGM), held an unscheduled meeting with West Bengal Industry minister, Nirupam Sen.

Without detailing the agenda of the meeting, Mr Sen later told reporters that he discussed with Mr Tata, the situation in Singur.

''He expressed his concern at the proposed indefinite agitational programme at Singur from Aug 24'' the minister said.

Mr Tata also reportedly said that he had invested in the project with a good objective and could not anticipate that the situation would come to such a pass.

''However, Mr Tata also said, he had come here not to go back.They have invested their lot in Singur, so they are unlikely to go back unless the situation compells to do so'', the minister said.

Alleging that about 400 acres of the project land were forcibly acquired, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief, Mamta Banerjee has decided to go ahead with her agitational programme, demanding that land should be given back to the farmers.

Even though the state government held a meeting with the TMC for a conciliation, the party stuck to its demand, at a meeting on August 20, where Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and the Industry minister were present.

UNI