Mamata calls for strike on Friday

KOLKATA: Demanding immediate dismissal of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government over violence at Nandigram, the Trinamool Congress-led Krishijami Raksha committee on Wednesday called a 12-hour general strike in West Bengal on March 16 in
protest against 'state-sponsored terrorism'.

Addressing a hurriedly called press conference following fresh violence in Nandigram, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee claimed that over 20 bodies were found in Nandigram and more than 200 people received bullet injuries in police firing at the trouble spot in East Mindapore district.

"We are compelled to declare a 12-hour general strike on Friday because of the massacre and bloodshed there. It is state sponsored terrorism," Banerjee told a packed news conference at her Kalighat residence.

"We know that the Higher Secondary, ICSE and CBSE exams are on. But it is the chief minister who has to take responsibility," she said.

"The chief minister has unleashed terror in Nandigram to grab land," Banerjee alleged.

She demanded that Centre must sack the Buddhadeb government in the larger interest of farmers and people.

"The chief minister has disgraced the chair he is occupying. If any government resorts to state-sponsored terrorism, it must be sacked," she said.

She said leaders of Krishijami Raksha Committee would rush to Nandigram.