Jawan critically injured in Maoist firing in West Bengal

A jawan of joint-security forces was critically injured today when Maoists fired at a patrol party on routine combing operations at Birihari forest area in West Midnapore district on the first day of two-day Naxal-sponsored bandh.

Ajay Gupta, a jawan of assistant sub-inspector rank, was rushed to Midnapore medical college hospital in a serious condition, police said.

Security reinforcements were rushed to the area to flush out the Maoists, they said.

Security has already been tightened at all CRPF camps and posts in the Maoist-dominated Jangalmahal area after the
Naxal attack that killed 26 CRPF personnel yesterday in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district.

The shutdown called by the Maoists against alleged police atrocities has seriously affected life in Jangalmahal area comprising West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts.

Though trains were plying, surface transport came to a halt in the area, they said. 

Offices, schools and colleges as well as business establishments remained closed and police patrolled the areas.

Maoists posters were found at Binpur and Belpahari areas of West Midnapore district in support of the shutdown.         

Meanwhile, a police hunt was on for the assailants of Phulchand Mahato, a Class X student, whose body was found at Belpahari yesterday.