WB: Bandh cripples life in Maoist-hit areas

Jhargram: Normal life was thrown out of gear in the three Maoist-hit districts of West Bengal on Tuesday morning as the 48-hour bandh call given by the tribals begins in Jhargram.

The police said no bus plied on the roads of the jungle mahal areas of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts since Tuesday morning.

All shops and other business establishments have remained closed due to the bandh call, the police said.

The tribals under the banner of People's Committee against People Atrocity (PCPA) which is backed by Maoists have

given the bandh call to demand release of their secretary and other PCPA leaders from police custody, sources said.

PCPA secretary Ajit Mahato and other leaders were arrested on Saturday.