Mamata calls off strike, sticks to stand on Singur Thursday, December 21, 2006 11:51 [IST]
Kolkata: Shortly
after a directive from the Calcutta High Court, Trinamool Congress today called
off its two-day general strike in West Bengal
from tomorrow but did not budge from her demand for relocation of the Tatas'
car project in Singur. Announcing that the strike was being 'postponed for the time being' Trinamool
Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said the decision was taken following a request
from members of the Christian community in view of the Christmas.
She, however, said that "whether we go for it (strike) again, will depend
on the Left Front government's decision on our party's demand for returning
forcibly acquired farmland at Singur for the Tata Motors small car
project." Mamata's decision came within an hour of the Calcutta High Court
directing the party to call off the strike on a PIL against the shutdown.
Observing that all bandhs are banned, the court also asked Trinamool Congress
or any member claiming to belong to it that they should not in any manner cause
disturbance of law and order anywhere in West Bengal.
West Bengal has already experienced three
general strikes this month.
Banerjee, however, said her hunger strike, in its 17th day today, would
continue till the state government returns the acquired farmland at Singur.
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