‘ Bengal govt will foil strikes’

The Mamata Banerjee government on Thursday decided to take stringent measures to foil the ongoing shutdown and restore normalcy in the Hills.

After a high- level meeting at the Writers’ Buildings, West Bengal chief secretary Sanjay Mitra announced that the administration was ready to go to any length to prevent harassment of common people due to the ongoing indefinite bandh. “We will take all possible measures to keep the situation under control. We will not hesitate to take tough measures to ensure that common people are not inconvenienced. We have also decided to keep the government offices open,” he announced.

The chief secretary warned that strong action will be taken against those government employees who failed to report for duty. “Those who want protection will be provided protection,” he added. He also made it clear that the police and administration will not allow the agitators to breach the law and order. “We will also take steps to strictly maintain law and order. Keeping the national highways and shops open, particularly ration shops, will be among our priorities,” Mr Mitra said.

He was addressing the press with home secretary Basudeb Banerjee, who has just returned from a twoday visit to Darjeeling. “We are determined to take action against all illegal activities,” Mr Banerjee said. He said that the police was ordered to proceed on all pending old cases. The police had been asked to execute the warrants against many GJM leaders which had remained unexecuted.