Maoists call two-day shutdown in Bengal

KOLKATA - The Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) Sunday called a 48-hour shutdown in West Bengal starting Dec 8 to protest against the arrest of four state committee members, including secretary Kanchan.

CPI-Maoist state committee member Ashim Mondal alias Akash said: “State secretary Kanchanda and other state committee members - Ajoyda, Bidyutda and my wife, Anu, - and party supporter Shankar have been arrested by city police.”

“We will observe a shutdown on Dec 8-9 to protest against the arrests,” he said.

“By arresting the political leaders the state government is closing the doors for talks with the Maoists,” he said.

Maoists are active in three western districts of the state - West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura.