A jawan from the joint security forces was critically injured on Wednesday when Maoists fired at a patrol party while it was engaged in routine combing operations at Birihari forest area in West Midnapore district on the first day of the 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, said the police. Security reinforcements were rushed to the area to flush out the Maoists.
Security has already been tightened at all Central Reserve Police Force personnel camps and posts in the Maoist-dominated Jangalmahal area after 26 CRPF troopers were killed by Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district on Tuesday.
The shutdown called by the Maoists against alleged police atrocities has seriously affected life in Jangalmahal area which comprises 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.
Maoist 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 on Tuesday.
