Maoist call for shutdown affects life in Bihar and Jharkhand

Gaya (Bihar), July 02 : Maoist call for shutdown in Bihar and Jharkhand has affected life as transport facilities were suspended and markets remained closed today.

The shops had downed their shutters and barely few commuters were seen o the roads of Gaya.

Transportation of both goods and passengers came to a halt, as people did not venture out of their homes due to fear of incurring Maoist wrath.

The Maoists have been active across India, including the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. They are also active in some areas of Orissa, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Since 2005, more people have been killed in Naxal-related violence than in Kashmir or the Northeast. Naxalism has spread to more than 150 of India's 600 districts. Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand are the worst-affected states. Since January 2006, Chhattisgarh has recorded over 500 deaths in Naxal-related violence. Naxalites claim to be fighting for the rights of poor peasants and landless labourers and routinely call for strikes, attack Government property and target local politicians.

ANI