Singur issue: Mamata calls off 2-day strike

Shortly after a directive from the Calcutta High Court, Trinamool Congress on Wednesday called off its two-day general strike.

Shortly after a directive from the Calcutta High Court, Trinamool Congress on Wednesday called off its two-day general strike in West Bengal from Thursday but did not budge from her demand for relocation of the Tatas' car project in Singur.

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Announcing that the strike was being 'postponed for the time being' Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said the decision was taken following a request from members of the Christian community in view of the Christmas.

She, however, said that "whether we go for it (strike) again, will depend on the Left Front government's decision on our party's demand for returning forcibly acquired farmland at Singur for the Tata Motors small car project." Mamata's decision came within an hour of the Calcutta High Court directing the party to call off the strike on a PIL against the shutdown.

Observing that all bandhs are banned, the court also asked Trinamool Congress or any member claiming to belong to it that they should not in any manner cause disturbance of law and order anywhere in West Bengal.

Banerjee, however, said her hunger strike, in its 17th day on Wednesday, would continue till the state government returns the acquired farmland at Singur.