Second day of pro-Maoist group’s shutdown peaceful

KOLKATA - No untoward incident was reported Wednesday on the second day of the 48-hour shutdown called by a pro-Maoist tribal group in West Bengal’s three districts protesting against alleged police atrocities.

The Peoples’ Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) called the shutdown in junglemahal (forested Maoist-affected areas of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura districts) in the wake of murders of their two supporters in Sirshi village Monday.

It was also protesting against the alleged torture by the joint forces countering Maoists. The PCAPA has also demanded the withdrawal of the joint forces from the area.

“No untoward incidents were reported today (Wednesday). Security personnel were deployed in the Maoist-hit areas,” said West Midnapore Superintendent of Police Manoj Verma.

“Normal life was hit in the Maoist-affected tribal areas of the district as schools, offices and business establishments remained closed. Private buses and vehicles did not ply on the road,” said Verma.

The scenario was quite the same in Purulia and Bankura districts.

The shutdown was observed in a few places of Ranibandh, Sarenga and Barikul areas of Bankura district, said Bankura Superintendent of Police Pranav Kumar.

“The shutdown was by and large successful in the Maoist-dominated Ayodhya Hill areas of Purulia district. In areas like Arsa, Balarampur, Jhalda, Bandwan and Bagmundi, shops and business establishment remained closed through the day,” said a senior police officer of Purulia district.

Schools and government offices remained closed, he said.