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Kolkata: At least 1,000 protesters opposing the seizure of farmland for a Tata Motors plant, due to assemble what has been billed the world's cheapest car, clashed with police in eastern India yesterday.
Protesters said several people were beaten up by police when they tried to march towards the plant in Singur, an hour's drive from Kolkata. Police said no one was injured in the demonstration.
The snub-nosed 100,000-rupee (Dh8,735) Nano was unveiled in January to a popstar reception, but violent protests and political opposition against land seizures for the factory in West Bengal state threatened to delay its long-awaited launch.
"No one was injured. They blocked a highway near the project for hours and then dispersed," senior police official Raj Kanojia said.
The protests were organised by supporters of India's ruling Congress party, which opposes the communist-run government in West Bengal. Television footage showed protesters with sticks clashing with police.
"Police rained batons on us leaving dozens of us injured," said Abdul Mannan, the Congress party leader who led the march.
The protests that Tata faces reflect a larger stand-off between industry in India and farmers unwilling to part with land.
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