W Bengal anger over 'gang rape'

Protesters say that farmers have been forced to move

The opposition in the Indian state of West Bengal has condemned the alleged gang rape and murder of a woman at the site of a controversial car factory.

Villagers say that the woman was assaulted then set on fire by attackers who support the Tata car plant in Singur, in the east of the state.

They have accused members of West Bengal's ruling Marxist party of carrying out the crime.

The villagers say that they have been unfairly displaced by the factory.

They say they have not received adequate compensation for the government's acquisition of 1,000 acres of farmland for the Tata "small car" project.

But the state government says that the plant will bring much needed jobs and business investment to West Bengal.

'Forcible acquisition'

The opposition Trinamul Congress party is opposed to the plant and says it will hold a two-day strike on Thursday and Friday in protest over the alleged attack on the villager.

Police say they are investigating whether her death was a case of suicide given "a twist" by angry villagers upset with the government.

Clashes have taken place recently between police and protesters

The chief of Bengal's leading opposition party, Trinamul Congress, Mamata Banerji, has been on hunger strike for a fortnight to protest against "forcible acquisition" of the farmland.

Doctors say that her condition remains stable.

West Bengal's Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya has ordered an inquiry into the burning by state police.

"Pending a thorough inquiry, it will be improper to comment," he said.

But he said his government would oppose the two-day strike by the Trinamul Congress.

The government says it has already completed the acquisition of the land and Tata can now start work.

The company says it will manufacture cars costing just 100,000 Indian rupees ($2,000) at the Singur site.

Earlier this month, police accused Maoist rebels of attacking a car showroom in central Calcutta in protest over the factory.