Chennai: National Alliance of People's Movements advisor Medha Patkar believes Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa needs to clarify her place in the Land Acquisition Bill.
In an interaction with people from different oppostion parties and farmers' federations, she said, “Whether Jayalalithaa joins the National Democratic Alliance is her business, but she should answer whether she will support the farmers’, fishermen’s and the people’s rights to their land, as early as possible.”
In the meeting which was attended by the CPI(M), the MDMK and VCK, she noted the absence of the Congress, AIADMK and the DMK and said it was as if the political parties had accepted the Central Government's plan to strip people of their resources. “We appeal to all political leaders that it is time to rise above party lines and support farmers and fishermen, who stand to lose their resources,” she said.
“Both urban and rural people will be deprived of their resources. Water, minerals and other natural resources are being sold to corporates. The land owned by the urban poor is the target of real estate developers. Land belongs to people, including agriculture, fisheries, and traders. We must save the land for the security of the people.”
