Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: Maoists in West Bengal on Wednesday called for a bandh in three districts on October 22, a day after the deadline set by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ends.
The bandh will be held in West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura districts, reports say.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had set a seven-day deadline for Maoists to lay down arms and come to the negotiating table.
"The government will not succumb to any terror tactics," Banerjee had earlier told a group of government-appointed team of interlocutors who are negotiating with the Maoists.
The West Bengal government has ceased the joint force operations against Maoists in tribal `junglemahal` area. But the violence in the area by the left ultras remain unabated.
Meanwhile, the Centre has extended its support to West Bengal government, when needed to deal with Maoist menace.
"The Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee) is competent enough to handle the situation and as and when she requires support, we will extend that," Finance Minister Prnab Mukherjee has said.
