Villagers protest land acquisition at Geonkhali

Kolkata, May 20 After the Trinamool Congress backed Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee thwarted the government move to set up a chemical hub at Nandigram, it is the turn of the Congress backed Bhumi Raksha Committee to fan villagers against a proposed ship building yard at Geonkhali near Nandigram.

The West Bengal government issued a notice yesterday for acquiring nearly 500 acres of agricultural land at Geonkhali, which is 30 kms away from Nandigram, for setting up a ship-building yard and downstream units by the Bharti group in collaboration with the Apeejay group.

A total of 493 acres of land would be acquired for setting up a ship-building factory said the District Magistrate, Anup Agarwal. Around 150 villagers, under the banner of Bhumi Raksha Committee of Congress, demonstrated today before the panchayat office protesting against the move.