Alleging that the West Bengal government is taking repressive measures to foil the February 28 general strike, the Left Front on Friday termed "obnoxious" the circular banning leave of government employees on that day.

"As the date of the strike is coming near, the state government is taking repressive measures," Left Front chairman Biman Bose told reporters here referring to the government circular.

"While we are witnessing a hyperactive role of the administration, the Trinamool Congress is issuing letters to force business establishments to be open," he said.

"It is obnoxious that employees cannot apply for leave. The government used to do this during the British rule," he said.

Claiming that in West Bengal such circular have never been issued by the previous government, he said, "We oppose this 'black' circular."

Bose clarified that the Left Front has not given any strike call but is supporting the 24-hour all-India general strike called by several central trade unions, including CITU, AITUC, INTUC and others.

"We appeal to the organisers of the strike not to fall in the trap and machinations of TMC to create disorder or violence on that day," he said.