From the very first day of the agitation, it was clear that the organisers would not be able to restrain agitators from threatening workers at the project.
SINGUR: Singur is scared, restless and under siege. The Trinamool Congress’ indefinite gherao of the Tata Motors’ project that began from Sunday has virtually turned this small town in Hooghly district, once set to make history as the birthplace of the Rs1-lakh car, into a war zone.
From the very first day of the agitation, it was clear that the organisers would not be able to restrain agitators from threatening workers at the project.
When Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee arrived at Singur along with Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh at 2.15 pm on Sunday, the plant was already besieged by agitators. Even as Trinamool leaders constantly exhorted agitators not to enter into altercations with project workers or police personnel, threats to project workers on the other side of the fence were hurled clandestinely: “How long will you work under police protection? After all you will have to come to Singur railway station and then you will face the consequences,” or “Are not you ashamed of working for a project which is ruining the life of farmers. You will have to pay heavily for it”. Interestingly, most agitators were holding flags of the naxalite CPI(ML).
The first day of the indefinite agitation threw life in Singur as well adjacent Durgapur Express Highway out of gear.
Although refusing to openly criticise the goings on out of fear, Singur locals secretly expressed apprehension that if the agitation continued indefinitely it would affect many livelihoods. Grocery shop owner Bifal Bangal was worried it will affect his business: “My shop has stocks for only two more days.”
Manohar, who sold his land to the project and is now running an eatery, finds no justification in the movement. He feels even if land is returned, the farmers concerned will not pursue agriculture. “After the Tata project started coming up, price of land adjacent to the project has increased manifold. So owners of the disputed 400 acres will not continue cultivation, but rather sell to local land sharks and brokers, who are now at the forefront of the Singur movement,” he said.
Puniya Jha (name changed), a contract labourer in the Nano plant, hailing from Chapra, Bihar, was worried if he would be able to return safely with his earnings. “We are scared to go the local markets,” he admitted.
r_sumanta@dnaindia.net
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