The call for a day-long bandh given by the CPI (Maoist) passed off peacefully in some parts of West Bengal where the security forces remained on high alert to tackle any threat of violence by the left-wing extremists.
In addition to Belapahari, which is surrounded by hills and jungles in Jhargram, the effect of the bandh called was seen in several places in Bankura. Shops were closed in several blocks of the district. Traffic did not ply either. However, the rest of the district was not affected by the bandh.
On the other hand, Binpur, Shilda, Belpahari, Banshpahari, Jhargram, Dahijuri, Jamboni and other areas received good response from the bandh. Even on the roads in the district headquarters Jhargram, the number of vehicles on Friday was much less than usual.
The police have been active in different areas of Jhargram since morning to prevent possible unrest. Patrolling was still in progress during the late evening.
The CPI (Maoist) had announced the bandh in four states Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam to protest the arrest of Arun Kumar Bhattacharya alias Kanchan (65), a member of the CPI (Maoist) Central Committee and Eastern Regional Bureau. A large number of security forces were deployed in the sensitive localities. Security forces carried out long range patrolling and area domination exercises in affected districts.