Cine technicians in Tollygunge withdraw strike

Kolkata, May 24 (UNI) Technicians in Tollygunge film industry withdrew their indefinite strike as shooting of Bengali feature films and tele serials resumed today following intervention of the West Bengal Government.

The strike was called off after the Government decided to form a conciliatory group to resolve the differences between the Federation of Cine Technicians and Broadcast Technician and the Workers Association (BROTA), the two rival groups.

During a meeting with representatives of the warring technicians, Information and Cultural Affairs Secretary Dilip Chakraborty categorically said the Government would not allow the cease work to continue and it would take severe action against any attempt to cripple the film industry.

The strike that began on May 22 following a dispute between BROTA and the Federation, stalled all shootings causing huge losses to producers.

Mr Chakraborty told reporters that the proposed Conciliatory group would be constituted by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who holds Information and Cultural Affairs as one of the additional portfolios.

Later, a delegation of leading Bengali film artistes, under the banner of Artistes Forum, met the Secretary and appealed to him to bring back a conducive atmosphere in the Tollygunge film industry.

'' We appealed to the Government to see that the problems is solved and an atmosphere conducive to making films are brought back in Tollygunge,'' Forum Secretary Prosenjit Chatterjee said.

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