Shutdown continues to affects normal life in West Begal districts

Midnapore (West Bengal), July 21 (ANI): As the three-day bandh called by the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) reached its final day today, normal life was severely affected in the tribal areas of West Midnapore district.

The bandh was total at Lalgarh, Belpahari, Binpur, Jamboni, Jhargram and parts of Goaltore and Salboni, all of which were reclaimed from Maoists by security forces in the recent anti-naxal operations.

District Magistrate N S Nigam expressed surprise over the severity of bandh for three consecutive days despite the presence of security forces in those areas.

"It is lack of coordination," he said.

Meanwhile, PCPA leader Chhatradhar Mahato held a meeting at Kantapahari to decide on the next course of action after the police lathi-charge students near Dharampur on Monday.

West Bengal Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen had apologised for the lathi-charge.

In Midnapore town, the CPI(M) suffered another erosion in ranks with around 90 partymen, including local leaders quitting the party.

Asked about partymen leaving and switching allegiance to the PCPA, District CPI(M) Secretariat member, Doheswar Sen attributed it to a 'conspiracy' by the Trinamool Congress and Congress. (ANI)