Singur: Mamata returns lands to farmers

Mamata Banerjee handed over the documents to many farmers.

The Singur Diwas was observed at Sanapara where Banerjee had held a 16-day sit-in protest in 2008.

Banerjee said she was ready to sacrifice her life for the cause of the farmers who were protesting for their lands in Singur.

"I was ready to sacrifice my life but I was determined to establish democracy," Banerjee said.

"This is a big victory. We have delivered on our promise of returning land. This is people’s victory. Soil is a big asset for humanity. This soil is purer than gold," she said.

Banerjee said: "This land belonged to farmers. It will remain with them."

She said industry and agriculture will co-exist.

"We have a land bank and a land use policy. Had all procedures been followed Tata babus would have been able to set up industry," she said.

The Supreme Court on Aug 31 directed the state government to take the land into its possession and distribute it to the original land owners in 12 weeks.

The apex court reached the verdict as it was hearing petitions challenging the quashing of Singur Land Acquisition Act by the Calcutta High Court.

The Supreme Court questioned the way in which more than  400 acres of land was allotted to the car manufacturer by not adhering to the section 4 and 5 of the Land Acquisition Act.
The sections of the Act mandates public notice for receiving objections.

A total of 997 acres of land in Singur was given to the Tatas for their "dirt-cheap" Nano car factory by the previous Left Front government, triggering a wave of protests led by Mamata Banerjee and supported by various civil society groups.

Image: Mamata Banerjee Facebook page