India Update
Published by MAC on 2006-12-17
India Update
17th December 2006
West Bengal has long been regarded as a stronghold of "the left" - more precisely that of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) . In other states left wing parties have been prominent in opposing seizures of peoples' land for mining and industrial projects. However, in recent weeks, strenuous local opposition to the siting of a car plant by Tata, near the West Begal capital, Kolkota, has been met with violence by the state, aquiesced in by some of the CPI (M) leadership.
We make no apology for running an account of this campaign. provided by India's National Alliance of Peoples Movements - although it isn't a mine or minerals plant which is in contention. Tata prides itself on its corporate social responsilbity. But it's now displaying disregard for peoples' rights uncomfortably close to the dereliction that contributed to the appalling Kalinganagar massacre in neighbouring Orissa at the beginning of this year.
In Delhi, tribal representatives have protested that the rushed passage of the long-awaited Forest Rights Bill has betrayed its real intentions.