As the West Bengal government and the Left geared up for a showdown during the nationwide general strike on Tuesday, the Union home ministry has virtually backed the move of Mamata Banerjee-led government, which is opposing the strike, by asking all state governments and UTs to ensure that “willing’’ employees are able to attend work and their safety and security is ensured.
The striking trade unions include the Left labour arms CITU, AITUC, UTUC, AIUTUC along with the Congress trade union wing INTUC and the BMS of the BJP apart from others.
In a letter dispatched to chief secretaries of all states and UTs on February 26, the home secretary R.K. Singh has clearly said that it apprehends clashes between Trinamul and CPI(M) workers in West Bengal since the Trinamul-led government has asked state employees and the general public not to respond to the strike.
The home ministry has asked the state to keep a tight vigil on the law and order situation. It has also said that adequate steps should be taken by all state governments towards the safety and security of employees, belonging to the trade unions and others, who will be working on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, a section of employees of the state-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI) are likely to join demonstrations, but the AAI management is confident that there would be no impact on flight schedules at AAI-run airports such as Kolkata and Chennai.