Subhas says govt might inetervene if Mamata does not withdraw fast

Kolkata, Dec 13 (UNI) After the Governor and the Chief Minister, it was the turn of West Bengal Transport Minister Subhas Chakrabarty to request Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee to withdraw her indefinite fast which entered the tenth day today.

Describing her fast deteriorating health as a matter of great concern for the state government, Mr Chakrabarty did not rule out the intervention of the state government to ease the situation.

''It is under the Indian Constitution that no one has the right to commit suicide,'' he said and explained the rationale behind the state government's possible intervention if the situation arises to that extent. He, however, refused to elaborate on the issue.

Speaking on the measures taken by the state transport department during tomorrows' 24-hour nationwide industrial strike called by all the 56 Left trade unions to press for their 16-point demands, Mr Chakrabarty said question does not arise to arrange government transportation for the people working in the IT sector since it is a public utility service and did not come under the purview of the emergency services. But he said arrangements could be made in Howrah and Sealdah stations if a large number of passengers were stranded there.

Without being specific on whether any attempt would be made to run government buses and allow the taxis to operate, in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling that no government could support a bandh or strike, the minister said it was entirely upto the state transport workers to decide whether they would come and work.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Mr Chakrabarty would be coming to Writers buildings tomorrow.

He made it clear that necessary two weeks' notice were issued by the Transport Unions expressing their solidarity with the strike called longtime back.

State Chief Secretary Amit Kiran Deb said in accordance with the Apex court's ruling, the state government had already issued necessary circular to its employees asking them to join their duties in spite of the 24-hour strike call.

IG Law and Order Raj Kanojia said necessary steps had already been taken to ensure foolproof security throughout the state, including the Maoist and the Naxal affected areas, where the number of security personnel was much higher. Special forces would also be deployed as and when necessary.

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