Farmers in West Bengal are protesting against alleged “forceful” possession of 16 acres of farmland for the project by the Power Grid Corporation of India. Violent protests have erupted in West Bengal’s South 24 Pargana district after villagers opposed to a power sub-station project clashed with police over the forceful acquisition of their lands. The issue heated up on Tuesday morning after the state CID allegedly picked up one of the villagers leading the anti-land acquisition agitation last night. Agitating villagers blocked the Shyamnagar-Haroa road this morning.
The Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) is constructing the Rajarhat 400/220 KV gas built substation as part of its 953-km high voltage transmission line to supply power. The line of supply ranges from Farraka in West Bengal to Kahalgoan in Bihar. There have been reports of multiple disputes from those areas, since the beginning of this year as farmers began organising anti-land acquisition protests. Angry villagers allege that land was snatched off them forcibly. They are also opposing the project saying that it poses a huge health risk for locals. Earlier this month, angry villagers had clashed with police during a protest meet. The tension rose to such an extent that the district administration called an emergency meeting with the protesting villagers and promised to look into the matter after Makar Sankranti festivities.
“Mamata Banerjee had promised that no farmland will be acquired forcibly. But today her party men are grabbing our land at gunpoint and she remains mute,” alleged one of the agitating villagers.
On Tuesday, Sovandeb Chatterjee, WB power minister declared that the state government has instructed to put the project site work to halt as per demand made by villagers.
“I’m confident we can resolve the matter peacefully if there are any logical grievances. But if some try stoking violence unnecessarily then we are helpless,” said the minister.
