Mamata to continue hunger strike as Tata project goes ahead

Kolkata, Dec 12 (UNI) Declaring that she would continue her hunger strike on the Singur issue, Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee today threatened the state Government with ''serious consequences'' if attempts were made to force her to end the fast.

''BJP President Rajnath Singh requested me to call off the hunger strike. But no such question arises until the Government stops acquisition of farm land at Singur,'' she said while speaking in the city's Esplandade area, the venue of her hunger strike that entered the ninth day today.

Ms Banerjee, however, did not mention the appeal made by Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi today to end the fasting.

She reaffirmed her resolve to continue the ''fight'' even as Tata Mortors representatives met state Government officials today to review the progress of work for providing infrastructure and basic amenities, including water and electricity, in the site of the proposed small car factory.

They also discussed a detailed plan for community development by the Tatas, involving Non-Government Organisations.

The Trinamool leader said she had written to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee suggesting that the Government stop acquiring farm land before holding talks with her. '' The Government has not replied. Let it decide which path it wants to take. Our movement will continue peacefully,'' she said.

''But let me tell the Government that if it tries to forcibly take me away and end the fasting, there will be serious consequences,'' she warned.

MORE UNI KDG KK RR GC1939