Bagdogra: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed on Thursday that she has stopped "bandh politics" in the state since it hinders development, PTI reported.
Mamata's statement came a day after two pro-Gorkhaland parties called off their February 23 bandh in the Darjeeling Hills. They cancelled the Bandh in view of the class 10 state board exams.
Mamata told reporters, "I have helped Bengal earn freedom from the politics of Bandh 11 years ago. We don't support any bandh here,... it's not our policy."
She said, "Bandh and development cannot go hand in hand. The way Bangla is moving forward, all people will be benefited."
The CM added that she would not want people to be inconvenienced in any way. She has given strict instructions to authorities concerned that usual traffic is allowed to flow when her convoy is moving, she said.
"I have given directions to not stop traffic movement when I am moving. If someone stops traffic movement, despite the instructions, I take action (against them)," she said.
It was on Tuesday, The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and Hamro Party called for a 12-hour strike in Darjeeling hills on February 23 to protest a motion passed in the state Assembly opposing "attempts to divide the state".
The outfits later withdrew the strike, maintaining that they did not want Class 10 board examinees to suffer in any way.