Mob invades new township project in Birbhum, leaves later

After Bhangar fracas, 200 villagers today invaded the government-acquired land where Gitanjali township and Visva Bangla university were being constructed at Shibour and Kashipur villages in Bolpur sub- division of Birbhum.
The agitators damaged a portion of newly erected boundary wall, uprooted few demarcation pillars and set used tires on fire but left the spot at the sight of a police force.
A police officer confirmed the incident but added there was no major law and order problem as the villager left soon afterwards and no case was registered.
One of the agitators, identifying himself as resident of Kashipur, said, "We had given land for industry. Only new industry can provide us with job and opportunity. But neither a township nor a university can solve our problem."

The land measuring about 300 acres had been acquired in two phase in 2000 in Sibpur mouza of Raipur-Supur village panchayat by West Bengal Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation, an undertaking of West Bengal government during the tenure of Left Front government.
Recently the state government had announced to set up Gitanjali- township and Visva Banga university on the land.
A couple of years ago an organisation 'Krishi Jami Raksha Committee [KJRC]' launched a stir demanding industry at the plot.
While KJRC leaders recently accepted the proposal of setting up township and university, a section of locals defied the diktat of KJRC.