TMC govt should stop using force to acquire land: CPI(M)

Condemning the alleged police firing in West Bengal's Bhangor in which one person died, the CPI(M) today said the TMC-led state government should stop using force against the agitators who were protesting the construction of a power sub-station there.
The CPI(M) Politburo asked the state government not to acquire land forcibly for the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) project and suggested it should open talks with the locals to settle the issue.
"The local people have been protesting against the acquisition of land for a power grid project. The TMC government should stop using force against the protesters. It should open talks with the people to settle the issue. There can be no forcible acquisition of land," the Politburo said in a statement.

Meanwhile, CPI(M)'s farmers wing - the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) demanded the state government to grant Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia to kin of the victim of the police firing.
It also alleged that various laws and guidelines were not followed while acquiring the land and compensating the affected people for the PGCIL project.
"In the acquisition of land neither the guidelines of the Lands Acquisition Act, 2013 have been followed nor have guidelines for payment of compensation towards damages in regard to Right of Way for Transmission Line, Ministry of Power, Government of India, 15.10.2015 been implemented," it said.

Besides, the AIKS said, no social and environment impact assessments were carried out and prior informed consent of locals was taken.
"Even the safeguards for food security have been violated as the land being acquired is fertile multi-cropped land. There are also concerns expressed by villagers about the health impact (to be caused by the project)," it said.
One person was killed and another injured in a "crossfire" in Bhangor area of yesterday after clashes broke out over construction of a PGCIL grid sub-station in the area.