Buddhadeb recommends CBI inquiry into Singur murder case

Kolkata, Dec 19 (UNI) Agreeing to the opposition Trinamool Congress' demand, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee today recommended a CBI inquiry into the alleged rape and murder of a young woman at Singur yesterday and reiterated his appeal to Mamata Banerjee to withdraw her ''indefinite fast'' as well as the 48-hour ''Bangla Bandh'' from December 21.

Speaking to newsmen at the Writers Building here today, the Chief Minister said though the state govenment had already ordered a CID inquiry into the unfortunate incident, keeping in view the sentiments of the opposition party he had decided to opt for a CBI inquiry.

''For this I have requested the Union Home Secretary to initiate necessary steps to allow the central investigation agency to probe the alleged criminal assault and murder of 19-year-old Tapashi Mallick, since the incident happened within the boundary of the proposed land acquired for the Tata Motors' small car unit at Singur in neighbouring Hooghly district,'' he said.

At the same time, Mr Bhattacherjee said he was appealing once again to Ms Banerjee to withdraw her fast, which has entered the 16th day today, immediately.

Described her call for a 48-hour Bangla bandh as ''totally uncalled for'' on such an issue, he said it must also be called off in the wake of the state government's decision for a CBI inquiry.

But the ongoing enquery by the state police's Criminal Investigation Department(CID) into the incident would also be held simultaneously, the Chief Minister clarified to a query.

Elaborating his stance on the acquisition of land at Singur for the Tata Motors'plant, Mr Bhattacharjee made it clear that the state government had ''no plan to change its decision'' on allowing Tata Motors to set up its unit in the already identified area.

Incidentally, the Trinamool Congress supremo has called the two-day statewide bandh, the first in over four decades, after the alleged rape and murder of the 19-year daughter of a Singur farmer by some unidentified assailants yesterday, which has created an adverse reaction among the general public besides generating strong protests by the ruling parties as well as the state administration.

Meanwhile, state Transport Minister Subhas Chakrabarty lambasted the Trinamool Congress for convening, what he called a ''totally unjustified and useless bandh'', and made it clear that the state transport department would leave no stone unturned to maintain its normal services during both the days.

Echoing the Chief Minister, he also appealed to Ms Banerjee to withdraw her strike call and simultaneously urged the people to ignore it completely.

He said stern action would be taken against all school bus service operators if they refused to take out their vehicles and did not maintain normal services during the bandh period.

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