A day after her supporters clashed with police in an attempt to enter Singur, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee issued another ultimatum to the government. She gave the government 10 days to restore the land acquired for the Tata Motors small-car project to original owners or face a renewed agitation.Addressing her first press conference after her 25-day hunger strike in December, Mamata - flanked by a gaggle of Naxalite groups and new friend Indian Union of Muslim League (IUML) — said: “On February 10, I shall go to Singur to address a rally. And I shall address the rally whether the government lifts [prohibitory orders under] Section 144 CrPC or not.”Mamata’s warning comes a week after Tata Motors formally began primary work for the project. Yesterday, around 40 people including policemen were injured in the clashes around Singur.CPI(M) state secretary Biman Bose was dismissive about the latest threat. “She is bent on destroying the atmosphere being created for industry and development,” Bose said. “Instead of launching so many movements, she should sit with the government and discuss how to speed up development.”Sources in the party said a rally had been organised in Singur today where many villagers turned up to demand faster industrialisation of the area.Mamata also threatened to spread the agitation against acquisition of farmland for industry in the rest of the state. To that end, she even changed the name of the front she organised to “Paschim Banga Krishi Jomi Raksha Committee” — West Bengal Save Farmland Committee. Known earlier as the “Singur Krishi Jomi Raksha Committee” the front represents 19 organisations including Naxal groups and non-government organisations.Mamata said the committee will also fight for farmers at Nandigram near Haldia, where the state plans a Special Economic Zone, Bhangar in South 24 Parganas and Barasat in North 24 Parganas, where the state has to acquire land for a North-South Expressway proposed by Indonesia's Salim group.The climax would be a rally at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground in March, she said.The government, she alleged, has granted undue favour to the Tatas. Dismissing the official list of people who have received compensation, she said: “The government is trying to cheat people. One person’s name appears more than once and many payments have been made for the same plot number.”Mamata said she will visit Nandigram on February 4 to address a rally.
