Bandhs, road blockades continue to plague Jhargram

Jhargram, Nov 16 (UNI) The 12-hour band call given by a hitherto lesser known political outfit of the Jharkhandis, Bharat Disham Party, secured good response in the tribal-dominated areas of Jhargram, Goaltore, Salboni and at a few other places at Kharagpur today.

Life was paralysed in the entire Jhargram subdivision, SDO, Jhargram, Tanmoy Chakraborty informed.

All shops and markets remained shut and traffic flow, including train movement through the Jhargram station, was disrupted due to a blockade on the tracks at Ghatsila on the border of Jharkhand state for four hours.

Several blockades were reported on Jhargram-Jamboni road this morning. Hundreds of posters were put up on Dubrajpur jungle area on the road congratulating the people in the area for successful implementation of the road blockades.

The agitation also spread to Jambeda near Kharagpur, Goaltore, Salboni and Belpahari areas.

Police has not yet been able to bring the dead body of Ashok Haldar, who was killed yesterday near Bhulaveda, for post-mortem due to the fear of possible landmine explosions in case police vehicles moved in the area.

Suspected Maoist ultras yesterday shot dead ration dealer Ashok Haldar in Phulaveda village under Belpahari police station in Jhargram sub-division.

Meanwhile, the SDO Jhargram hoped that a meaningful dialogue may soon be started with the tribal outfits to reach a solution within a day or two. He, however, refused to divulge any further details about the plan.

UNI XC DPM SV HT1522