Bandh paralyses life in Jhargram, blockade on NH 6 continues

Jhargram, Nov 15 (UNI) Life was disrupted today in the entire Jhargram sub-division and Salboni of Midnapore district following the 12-hour bandh call given by the SUCI in protest against the alleged police atrocities on tribals.

SDO, Jhargram, Tanmoy Chakraborty said all schools and colleges, shops and business establishments remained closed. Vehicular movement was paralysed due to road blockades at various places.

Tribals felled roadside trees in Maguria and Vandaru on State Highway 41, connecting the National Highway six (Mumbai road), this morning. A similar blockade was also raised at Banspahari.

Groups of tribals, under the aegis of the Bharat Disam Party and Kurmi Chatra Yuba Morcha, organised demonstrations in villages, protesting the alleged police atrocities, and announced to continue the blockade on the Mumbai road tomorrow.

They also announced a congregation of tribals on November 17 near Dalilpur under Lalgarh police station.

SP, West Midnapore district, Rajesh Singha, was also called to the meeting where the tribals will give a response to the suggestions given by the district administration at the peace meeting at Jhargram yesterday.

The truce meeting, between the district administration and religious outfits of the tribals yesterday, was unsuccessful with the leaders remaining adamant and placing ''impossible'' demands, District Magistrate N S Nigam said.

''Practically nothing has come out of the Lalgarh meeting as the tribal leaders have placed a ten-point charter of demands most of which are impossible,'' Mr Nigam said.

''Demands like withdrawal of all cases against Sasadhar Mahato and Suchitra Mahato, the two most wanted Maoists, withdrawal of all police camps from Maoist areas and release of all arrested in connection with the blast incident cannot be adhered to. We are, however, sympathetic to the demand of free treatment of those women, injured in Chhoto Pelia village under Lalgarh police station during police operation,'' he added.

UNI XC DPM SW RAI1755