Shutdown called in three West Bengal districts Saturday

Activists of the Maoist-backed People's Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) on Friday called a 24-hour shutdown in three western districts of West Bengal Saturday to protest the death of one of their supporters in police firing.

Activists of the Maoist-backed People's Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) on Friday called a 24-hour shutdown in three western districts of West Bengal Saturday to protest the death of one of their supporters in police firing.

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In a bid to prevent security forces from reaching the Pirakata outpost in West Midnapore district's Satpati village, where security forces traded fire with Maoists Thursday, PCAPA members blocked various intersections by felling tree trunks and branches, police said.

The Maoists and PCAPA activists also tried to lay siege to the outpost under Salboni police station near Lalgarh, leading to an exchange of fire with the security forces.

There are no reports of any casualties.

The outpost has been housing the combined security forces comprising central military troopers and state armed policemen who have been deployed to flush out Maoists from Lalgarh.

The security forces also conducted combing operations in and around Satpati looking for the left wing ultras who are deeply entrenched in the area.

PCAPA spokesman Asit Mahato said a 24-hour shutdown has been called in West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts Saturday in protest against the firing.

The Maoists are active in some 30 police station areas in the three districts.