Given to taste the bitter pill once prescribed by herself Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banejee on Friday warned the Opposition parties against using “subversive or destructive methods”-like destruction of Government or private prosperities as a weapon of protest saying enactments were under way to heavily penalise the people who indulge in destructive activities.
Banerjee’s immediate point of reference was the ongoing anti-land acquisition agitation at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas some 40 miles off Kolkata where villagers.
Known for its history of political violence, the village has been on the boil since a couple of weeks over “forced” acquisition of 16 acres of farmland-spread over the villages of Khamarait, Machhi Bhanga, Tona and Padmapukur-by the State Government for the Power Grid Corporation of India ltd (PGCIl). The land was forcibly acquired by Trinamool toughs led by former party MlA and strongman Arabul Islam. The angry protesters had burnt down half-a-dozen police vehicles and dumped many others into village ponds after a clash with the police.
Referring to the movement Banerjee said, “There are many other ways of protest. The agitators can hold dialogues with the authorities, give deputation but they cannot destroy properties. But they have no right to destroy police vehicles. Each vehicle costs lakhs of rupees.
“Who will pay for these police vans that were consigned to flameIJ We are a poor Government and will have to pay for new vans from the funds earmarked for other developmental projects.
“Now we have decided to bring in a strong Bill in the coming Assembly session where by the person or group which destroys Government of private properties during any agitation will have to compensate for the same. If you burn down a property you will have to make good the loss. If you cannot even pay for the damage your property will be croaked.”
For a reference during anti-Nano movement at Singur the Bengal Chief Minister who was then the Opposition leader had led her party to State Assembly where a large gang of her party leaders had vandalised the interiors destroying heritage furniture and mementos associated with many foreign dignitaries and events.
“Banerjee’s own party TMC had resorted to many such acts in Nandigram and lalgarh” left leader Sujan Chakrabarty said.