Maoist bandh: Life hit in 3 Bengal districts

Normal life was affected for the second day on Tuesday in Maoist-infested districts of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura during the 48-hour bandh called by the ultras in five states to protest the offensive by security forces against Naxalites in Lalgarh.

Normal life was affected for the second day on Tuesday in Maoist-infested districts of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura during the 48-hour bandh called by the ultras in five states to protest the offensive by security forces against Naxalites in Lalgarh.

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Shops and markets remained closed and vehicles kept off the roads in the Maoist-hit areas of Lalgarh, Binpur, Pirakata and Jhargram in West Midnapore district.

However, no untoward incident was reported from the areas where security forces are expected to launch their offensive. In the district headquarter town of Midnapore life returned to normal and vehicles plied on roads.

Reports from Bankura and Purulia said life in the Maoist-hit areas was seriously affected.

The entire area is under strict surveillance of the security forces, official sources said. Patrolling along the railway tracks has been intensified in Adra division of South Eastern Railway following detection of a landmine at Birandi station on the first day of the Maoist bandh on Monday, the sources said.