Maoist-sponsored bandh registers partial impact in three districts

Kolkata, Jun 22: A 48-hour shutdown, called by the underground Maoists in protest against the Lalgarh operation evoked partial response in three West Bengal districts today as security was beefed up throughout the state as a precautionary measure.

''The bandh has partially impacted life in parts of Purulia, Bankura and West Midnapore districts. However, no untoward incidents have been reported to us so far,'' Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia told UNI.

Shops, markets and business establishments remained closed in the Maoist-dominated pockets of the three districts while vehicles, including buses, were very few in number.

Police carried out frequent patrolling over an extensive part of the ultra-dominated districts while security was intensified also in other parts of the state.

The extremists have called the bandh in West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Orissa and Jharkhand demanding that the joint operation by the Central and state forces in Lalgarh be withdrawn.

The flush out operation began in the 'liberated' Lalgarh area of West Midnapore district after the underground rebels took total control over the area, killing CPI(M) workers, burning houses and even driving away police.

UNI