Crops destroyed, ownership changed overnight; Newtown farmers protest sudden HIDCO land takeover

A major protest erupted in Newtown after farmers alleged that HIDCO, the state government company, acquired their land overnight without notice. The crops on nearly three acres of farmland, located on the left side of the road from Patharghata Badamtala to Aliya University, were reportedly destroyed during the night. When the landowners checked official records, they found the land was no longer registered in their names.

Residents claimed they were not informed about any acquisition process. According to the protesting farmers, neither compensation nor consultation took place before HIDCO took control of the plots. They accused the authorities of carrying out a sudden takeover without issuing notices or providing an opportunity for objection.

Farmers also recalled that similar overnight acquisitions had occurred during the Left Front government. They pointed out that the Trinamool Congress had promised that no fresh land would be acquired without proper procedure. However, they now allege that the same practices are being repeated, with land being taken abruptly and secretly.

On Thursday morning, landowners gathered at their agricultural plots and staged a protest. They demanded that the state government return the land to them and restore their ownership immediately.