Medha to hold 145;public hearing146; in Singur today

Talking to the media, Patkar said the West Bengal government should not be 8220;secretive8221; about land acquisition in Singur for the Tata Motors small-car project. It should hold talks with the affected farmers instead, she added.

Patkar, who has warned of an intensified agitational programme against the acquisition of agricultural land for the project, said that secrecy breeds suspicion, which the State Government should avoid. Magsaysay award winner and noted writer Mahasweta Devi is also likely to accompany Patkar, said Krishi Jami Raksha Committee members.

The Jami Raksh Save Land Committee comprises Trinamool Congress, Congress, CPIML, SUCI, BSP and Janata Dal supporters. It has been spearheading the movement against acquisition of agricultural land in Singur.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Subrata Mukherjee said he would set up a camp office at Singur from Monday to resist the handover of land to the Tatas. Mukherjee said he would ensure that farmers could harvest paddy and sow potato on their land. Under no circumstances will agricultural land be handed over to the Tatas, he said.