Kolkata: Private bus owners have decided to suspend their proposed three-day strike — scheduled to begin on Thursday — after meetings between bus operators and govt officials, including one on Wednesday attended by transport minister Snehasis Chakraborty, Kolkata Police commissioner Manoj Verma, and senior traffic and transport officials.
But bus owners said they may resume the stir after Sept if demands remain unmet. "We are suspending the strike based on the govt's assurances. But if those assurances are not implemented by Sept, we will be forced to reconsider," said Tapan Banerjee of Joint Council of Bus Syndicates. The strike was called in protest against alleged cop harassment and other grievances. The authorities agreed to start a monitoring mechanism, and the commissioner promised to examine complaints. Chakraborty said the govt does not intend to harass bus owners. "If rules are broken, action will be taken. But we've addressed most concerns," he said. The grievance redressal portal will be open for three months, with a meeting thereafter.