Bhattacharjee asks people to reject bandh

Kolkata, Jan 7 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has exhorted the people to reject the bandh called by the Congress, the Trinamool Congress and the SUCI tomorrow as it was ''anti-people and anti-progress''.

Addressing a rally of the DYFI here today, Mr Bhattacharjee said, ''We are all worried at what is happening at Nandigram. We have ordered an inquiry into the incidents since last night.'' ''The situtaion has come to this state because of a whispering campaign done by some parties spreading rumours about the acquisition of land for SEZ in Nandigram,'' he said.

He was also concerned about the increasing tension in East Midnapur.

''I am sure that the general people will discard the bandh.

Nobody wants a bandh. Its not about getting political mileage, its about the well being of the state,'' Mr Bhattacharjee said.

''A bandh cannot benifit anyone. Even the farmers in Singur were affected by the bandh call. It is anti-progress. I am once again inviting the oppositin parties to sit across the table and discuss the issues,'' he said.

Mr Bhattacharjee said agriculture was standing on a 'solid foundation' in West Bengal and newer means were sought to further strengthern the agro-sector.

''However, no state can progress without industrialisation and a new and better West Bengal can only emerge through a fully industrialised state,'' he said.

The West Bengal Pradesh Congress today called for a 24-hour Bangla bandh tomorrow, protesting against last night's violence at Nandigram in West Midnapore district in connection with the alleged rumours regarding the governments forceful acqusition of farmland.

All India Trinamool Congress in the name of Krishi Jami Raskya Committee (committee for protection of farm land) had also called a 12-hour statewide bandh from 0600 hours tomorrow protesting against the alleged police atrocities on innocent farmers in Nandigram last night violating the government's assurance for a peaceful resolution of the situation.

WBPCC General Secretary Manas Bhuinyan and opposition leader and senior TMC leader Partho Chatterjee announced their respective party's decision for tomorrow's 'Bangla Bandh in separate news conferences here today.

UNI