Villagers decamp with iron rods taken from the Singur factory. Picture by Anindya Shankar Ray

Singur, June 22: Seats, wheels and Nano shells lay scattered as officials went around taking stock.

After takeover, it was time for inventory.

District and police officials today began listing assets and machinery left behind by Tata Motors at the Singur factory after taking possession of the land late last night.

“The process of making an inventory started today and we have covered a considerable part of the factory. The inventory report will be prepared soon and submitted to the state government,” a Hooghly district official said.

“A list is being prepared of the machinery lying inside the seven factory sheds,” the official, who didn’t want to be named, added. “Since the government has acquired the property, the plants and machinery are also the property of the state.”

For members of the administration who will be stationed on the premises, bases have been set up where a control room and workshop of the erstwhile factory existed. Fans, lights and generators were brought in on Matador vans.

A visit to the main factory shed revealed parts of the Nano car — seats, wheels and shells — lying scattered on the ground. “These were used during training of the newly recruited staff. Most of these were taken away by Tata Motors officials after Ratan Tata decided to shift the factory to Gujarat,” said an official.

Other items lying scattered included cables, air-conditioners and generators.

“We have deployed forces to secure the factory site and ensure that all these parts and items are intact,” said Hooghly police chief Tanmoy Ray Chowdhuri.

Police sources said 500 personnel had been deployed at the site since last night and the number would be increased. In the afternoon, IGP (western range) Zulfikar Hasan and senior officials inspected the premises.

Despite the police presence, some villagers sneaked into the factory through gaps in the walls and took away broken iron rods, plastic pipes and window frames. “We are driving them out wherever possible, but it’s a huge area,” said an official.

Nano car shells at the factory in Singur on Wednesday. Picture by Anindya Shankar Ray

After Tata Motors officials left the premises last night, the private security personnel who had been guarding the site were asked to leave by the administration.

“We were asked at 12 last night to vacate the factory by 7am today,” said Sonu Kumar Thakur, a private security guard. “We are going to Haldia where the company has given us a new assignment.”

Since morning, villagers and “unwilling” farmers had started gathering outside the main gate where the government had pasted more than 40 notices and Tata Motors one.

Activist Medha Patkar arrived around 9 and spoke to the villagers. She expressed happiness over the developments.

At 9.30, the Singur Krishijomi Raksha Committee took out a procession of 2,000 men and women from the main gate and covered the 4km factory perimeter from outside.

Some of those who had given up land for the factory said they wanted their plots back as early as possible. “I hope I’ll get back the land soon so that I can sow seeds,” said Manashi Manna of Beraberi village who had parted with three bighas.

“I have been earning Rs 50 a day as a carpenter in Calcutta,” said Subrata Das of Khaser Bheri village. “I used to earn over Rs 40,000 a year by selling paddy.”