The Odisha unit of Communist Party of India (Marxist) started night-long vigil protest against the contentious Land Acquisition Bill here on Tuesday.
“The Narendra Modi government is out to hand over thousands acres of land to companies and private entities by bringing in new Land Acquisition Bill. The Bill, if passed in its present form, would enable the governments to acquire famers’ land using force,” said Janardhan Pati, member of CPI (M) Central Committee.
Mr. Pati alleged that ruling Biju Janata Dal, which decided to abstain from voting, had entered into secret pact with BJP-led government at Centre. The party said the demonstration which started around noon on Tuesday would continue till Wednesday.
“The Bill upon becoming Act would have very adverse impact on farmer community in Odisha. Tribals will be the most affected section. People will lose their rights due to withdrawal of consent clause,” said CPI (M) State Secretary Ali Kishore Patnaik.
Mr. Patnaik said the agitation against land bill would be intensified further by holding similar demonstration at block and tehsil level.
Top CPI (M) leaders, Jagannath Mishra, Santosh Dash, Dushmant Das, Bishnu Mohanty and Suresh Panigrahi addressed party members.
