Maoist bandh in West Bengal tribal districts hits normal life

Normal life was disrupted in tribal areas of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts today due to the two-day bandh called by the Maoist-backed Peoples Committee against Police Atrocities on the first anniversary of the launch of joint forces' operation against Naxals in the area.

Security was stepped up with joint force personnel patrolling sensitive areas.

No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the three districts, collectively known as Jungle Mahal, where people preferred to stay indoors fearing Maoist violence. 

Schools, colleges, markets, banks, post offices and other other offices remained closed and vehicles kept off the roads.

The PCPA will observe two-day 'black day' and 'protest day' from tomorrow demanding withdrawal of the joint forces and to protest the alleged police excesses.

A bandh by Jharkhand Disom Party is also on in Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal demanding more provisions for tribes in the Constitution.