The Hindu : National : Talks offer to Mamata holds

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Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007
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National

National

Talks offer to Mamata holds

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: The West Bengal Government's invitation to Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee for talks on compensation to those whose land has been acquired for the Tatas automobile project at Singur still stands.

"We are still open for talks... Four letters have already been sent to her from the Chief Minister's secretariat, but I am not aware of any having met with a response," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirupam Sen said here on Monday.

Ms. Banerjee alleged that the State Government went back on its word that issues concerning the plant would be "settled" through talks, and allowed Tata Motors to start construction at the site even as she was convalescing at home. She had observed fast for 25 days.

Meanwhile, work on the car plant entered the second day. Locals and bargadars (tillers) who were directly associated with the land in the area are being mobilised for raising a wall and other infrastructure, Industries Director M.V. Rao, overseeing the construction, told The Hindu .

With the Government having given the nod for the construction work, the question of the Trinamool sitting for talks did not arise, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Partha Chatterjee, said.

"Even as our protests against forcible acquisition of land continue, we are seriously thinking of launching a movement against the Tatas," who went ahead with the construction plans despite prohibitory orders continuing at Singur. "We have been stopped from going to the area and protesting... the law should be the same for all."

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