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The bust of Tapasi Malik. Picture by Ananda Das |
Singur, Dec. 18: Trinamul leaders today unveiled the bust of a Singur “martyr”, who was burnt to death allegedly by CPM activists in 2006.
Minister of state for shipping Mukul Roy, industries minister Partha Chatterjee, tourism minister Rachpal Singh and agriculture minister Rabindranath Bhattacharya were present at the event to unveil the bust of Tapasi Malik.
Tapasi, a Trinamul worker, had taken part in the land agitation led by Mamata Banerjee against the Nano plant in Singur. Her body was found on this day five years ago in a ditch on the land fenced off for the small-car plant.
Another bust, that of Rajkumar Bhul, a Trinamul supporter, was also unveiled today. Bhul was killed in Singur when he jumped into a pond after being chased by policemen on September 25, 2006, while participating in the anti-land acquisition movement.
Chatterjee said the Singur land movement had turned out to be an example of protest by farmers against forcible acquisition of land.
“The movement has established the rights of farmers in Singur. These farmers held their head high and never surrendered before oppression. Their toil and sacrifice will not go in vain,” said Chatterjee.
Chatterjee also assured that farmers who did not accept money from the government for the acquisition of the Singur land will get back their plots. “You will get back your lands if not today, tomorrow. The matter is now in court. We are waiting for the final verdict. I tell you we will win,” he added.
“We set up the two busts to pay respects to them. They were martyrs of the anti-land acquisition movement and we have not forgotten them,” said shipping minister Roy.
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