17 injured in villagers-police clashes over land acquisition in Burnpur

At least 17 people were injured when irate villagers clashed with police personnel on Monday over acquisition of land for Indian Iron and Steel Companys (IISCO) factory in West Bengals Burnpur District.

Burnpur (West Bengal), June 18 : At least 17 people were injured when irate villagers clashed with police personnel on Monday over acquisition of land for Indian Iron and Steel Company's (IISCO) factory in West Bengal's Burnpur District.

The incident took place in Purushottampur village of Burnpur District when the villagers tried to prevent authorities of the steel company from taking possession of 240 acres of farmland.

The injured included six policemen and a legislator.

The land was formally acquired by the state-run IISCO in 1989 but the actual taking over was initiated recently.

The protestors alleged the compensation received in 1989 for their non-agricultural land was grossly inadequate. They were demanding compensation to match the current market rates and job security for each affected family.

"We want them to give us our due. It is not that we oppose the setting up of the industry here. But we want our dues. We want them to provide jobs to members of each families and due compensation for the land," said Radha Rani Chanda, a protestor.

The villagers said they would continue to protest till their demands were met.

"We will continue the agitation till our demands are met. It will continue till jobs are given and the price for the land is paid," added Soma Mitra, another protestor.

At least six persons, including a policeman, were injured in clashes on Sunday at Purushottampur village over the same issue.

In 1989, the villagers were given Rupees 13.5 lakh (1.3 million rupees) per acre by the IISCO. But villagers claim the Asansol-Durgapur Development Authority, which is overseeing the acquisition, has passed on only Rupees 5.6 lakh (560,000 rupees) to them.

The villagers' resistance has blocked work on the Rs 10,000-crore (100 billion rupees) expansion and modernisation of the IISCO steel plant in Asansol.

Over 290 families stand to lose their homes. Nearly 340 acres are to be acquired for the expansion of the steel plant, which was declared sick unit in 1999.

The Central Government has sanctioned 100 billion rupees for the plant's revival. For the State Government, IISCO is a premier project in the current drive towards industrialisation.

ANI