CPI (M) to fight for Land Bill

KOZHIKODE: The CPI (M) Saturday said it will fight for a Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Bill aimed at protecting the interests of small land owners in the country. In a resolution presented to the on-going 20th Congress here, it said land acquisition for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) by corporates and mining using the 'draconian' 1894 Act saw a number of struggles by farmers and agricultural workers in the country. Protest against land acquisition took place in over 40 districts in 17 states in the past three years, it claimed.


Tens of thousands of acres of land were taken over by giving meager compensation and without rehabilitation measures, it claimed adding tribals were particularly affected by the dispossession of their lands and displacement from their traditional habitats. Besides, thousands of fisher folk have been evicted from habitats along the coast, resulting in the loss of their livelihoods.