Kolkata: June 28, 2008  - The police on Friday foiled an attempt by some farmers to demolish the wall around the Tata Motors’ project at Singur in West Bengal.

The incident coincided with the first visit of Ravi Kant, Tata Motors’ Managing Director, to the factory since the panchayat elections in which the Trinamool Congress won the local rural bodies.

“Police burst 12 rounds of tear-gas shells and baton charged the agitating peasants when they were attacked by stones while trying to disperse them,” said Raj Kanojia, Inspector-General of Police (Law and Order). Three policemen were injured in the violence.

Trinamool supporters subsequently put up blockades at many points on the approach way to Singur. Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed to drive them away.

State Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Sabyasachi Sen, told journalists here that at a review meeting with Mr. Kant the progress of work for the setting up of infrastructure in the project site such as drainage, power and roads were discussed.

He expressed the hope that the first batch of Nano cars would roll out of the factory in October as announced by the Tata Motors’ authorities.