Chhattisgarh farmers refuse to hand over land to Tatas

The farmers of 10 villages in Lohandiguda block have now refused to hand over their land for Tata's proposed 5 mtpa steel plant until their 13-point demands are addressed by the administration.

The villagers, led by the Left parties, have taken a U-turn from their earlier resolution that was passed in the Gram Sabha held on July 20, 2006 and August 3, 2006.

As a result, the Chhattisgarh government today refused to reorganise the Gram Sabha in Lohandiguda block of Bastar district that had earlier passed a resolution giving nod to the transfer of land.

On Friday, members of the ruling BJP raised the issue in the Chhattisgarh Assembly and said the state government started the land acquisition process on February 1, 2007 without addressing the 13-point demands that include land for land to the villagers going to be displaced under the project. The government had earlier refused to accept the demand for providing land in return.

The BJP members said the local administration resorted to pressure tactics when the villagers proposed to organise a Gram Sabha on February 24, 2007 to pass a resolution to deny handing over land to the Tatas. The villagers also clashed with the police. A senior official and a dozen policemen were injured in the clash.

Following strong protest from the villagers, the administration had to suspend the land acquisition process. Chhattisgarh Revenue Minister Brijmohan Agrawal today announced in the House that there was no question of re-organising the Gram

Sabha when the villagers had earlier given consent to hand over their land for the proposed steel plant of Tatas in Lohandiguda block of Chhattisgarh.

"The villagers are being misguided by some elements who are not interested in the development of Bastar region," the minister said.

When the members demanded that the government should relax the norms and force Tata Steel to accept all the demands of the villagers, Agrawal said the government could consider the suggestion.