Maoists call for weeklong market shutdown in J’khand

Agitated by the lukewarm response to their 48-hour Bandh call in Simdega district of Jharkhand, Maoists issued fresh warning letters on Thursday warning that the market shutdown has been extended by one more week in the area and all have to abide by this dictum. Suspected Maoists pasted posters all over the marketplace in Kersai block of the district. The posters warned the shopkeepers to strictly adhere to the renewed shutdown call after it was observed that some of the shop owners had refuted the previous Bandh. By and large, the markets were completely closed and even the health care centres in the area had drawn the curtains. Amidst these frequent Bandhs, the daily wage earners working at market places are the worst hit. Even petty shop owners say they are adversely affected by these shutdown calls.