Trinamool can't strike, rules HC

New Delhi: The Calcutta High Court asked the Trinamool Congress on Wednesday to withdraw the 48-hour general strike called by it in West Bengal.

The court also asked the government to ensure adequate protection for all citizens on the two days.

The court directed the Trinamool or any member claiming to belong to it not to disturb law and order anywhere in the state.

The Chief Justice directed the state government to ensure that adequate protection is given to all citizens during the strike on December 21 and 22.

The party has called for a strike in the state to protest against Tata Motors’ small car project in Singur, Hoogly district, and given the state government time till Wednesday evening to scrap the project.

Party chief Mamata Banerjee has been on a hunger strike against the project for 17 days.

“The state machinery should work overtime, if necessary, to preserve law and order in the state,” the court said.

The Chief Justice said the directions on this matter would apply to all illegal bandhs in future in the state. Acting a petition moved by lawyer Idris Ali, the court directed the West Bengal government to ensure that public and private transport was not disturbed and anyone trying to do so should be sternly dealt with.

The Chief Justice directed that schools, colleges and educational institutions should be provided with protection so that all who wanted to attend could safely do so.

Similar precautions must be taken for private and government offices and no one would be allowed to disturb the peace in West Bengal, the court directed.

The court kept the case open to learn the outcome of its directions on Trinamool's call for a 48-hour bandh from Thursday.

The matter will come up for hearing again after the court reopens following the Christmas holidays.