Won’t allow any bandh in Bengal on Sept 2: Mamata

Kolkata, Aug 26 (PTI) In a stern message to the centraltrade unions (TUs), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjeetoday said her government would not allow any bandh in thestate on September 2, when the TUs have given a call from ageneral strike. "We will not allow any bandh in the state on September 2.We will keep everything open. Vehicles will ply and shops willopen. If vehicles and shops are damaged (by bandh supporters),we will take strong action. We will also give compensation,"she told a meeting of the students wing of her party here. "If they (central TUs) want they can go to Delhi andstage dharna to register their protest," she said. The central trade unions have given a call for acountry-wide general strike on September 2 to protest againstthe "anti-people, anti-national and anti-worker" policies ofthe NDA government at the Centre. Last month, INTUC president G Sanjeeva Reddy had statedhe would urge Banerjee to allow Trinamool Congress’ tradeunion wing to participate in the strike. PTI PNT SUN MDTIR