Administrative action if shops are closed during strike:Mamata

After warning of stern action against enforcement of the two-day general strike by Central trade unions, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said steps would be taken if shops were closed in the next two days in the state.

The chief minister told a meeting of the government-instituted Task Force that administrative steps would be taken if shops were closed in the next two days, West Bengal Forum of Traders' Associations General Secretary Rabindranath Kolay said.

Kolay, who was present at the meeting, said the chief minster directed that police would patrol all markets during the strike so that normal activities were maintained.
She said her government would pay compensation in case of ransack or damage to shops by strikers.

The chief minister, however, did not elaborate on the point of compensation, Kolay said. The chief minister had yesterday said that there would be no bandh in the state and the administration would ensure that life was normal and work did not suffer.