Violent protests have erupted in West Bengal's South 24 Pargana district as villagers opposed to a power sub-station project clashed with police over the issue of land acquisition. Farmers are protesting against alleged "forceful" acquisition of 16 acres of farmland for the project by the Power Grid Corporation of India.

The Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) is constructing the Rajarhat 400/220 KV gas insulated substation as part of its 953-km high voltage transmission line to supply power from Farraka in West Bengal to Kahalgoan in Bihar. Trouble has been brewing in the area since beginning of the new year as farmers began organising anti-land acquisition protests. Angry villagers allege that land was grabbed forcibly and are opposing the project claiming that it poses a huge health risk for locals.

"Mamata Banerjee had promised that no farmland will be acquired forcibly. But today her party men are grabbing our land at gunpoint and she remains mute," alleged one of the agitating villagers.

West Bengal power minister Sovandeb Chatterjee on Tuesday reiterated that the state government has already instructed that work at the project site be stopped as per demand made by villagers. "I'm confident we can resolve the matter peacefully if there are any logical grievances. But if some try stoking violence unnecessarily then we are helpless," said the minister.

Earlier this month, angry villagers had clashed with police during a protest meet. Infact, the district administration called an emergency meeting with the protesting villagers and promised to look into the matter after Makar Sankranti festivities. However, things once again turned ugly this morning after the state CID allegedly picked up one of the villagers leading the anti-land acquisition agitation last night. Agitating villagers blocked the Shyamnagar-Haroa road this morning.

A large contingent of police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) was rushed to lift the blockade but protesters started pelting stone at the police. Eventually, police had to lathi-charge and fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Following the agitation, PGCIL has stopped work at its project.