Black day observed as Buddhadeb visits West Midnapore

Kolkata, Nov 7 : Hundreds of school students, teachers and villagers took out rallies and observed a black day Saturday as West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee reached West Midnapore district on a two-day visit.

According to police sources, the students and villagers took out protest rallies demanding withdrawal of security forces from all school buildings in and around Lalgarh region as it was affecting their studies.

Police said the People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) activists, backed by Maoist rebels, blocked roads near Lodhashuli of Jhargram sub-division by felling big trees. Later the road was cleared by the police.

"We're investigating the matter. We assume it was done by Maoist ultras," state Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen told reporters here.

Meanwhile, security arrangements were stepped up across the district. Several police pickets were set up and mine detectors were used to carry out intense checking in the entire district before the visit of the chief minister.

Bhattacharjee reached West Midnapore district to monitor the law and order situation there.

He will hold meetings with district police officials to review the situation.

In a separate incident, three villagers were shot dead by suspected Maoist guerrillas near Kushbon forest region under Binpur police station area. The bodies were recovered early Saturday morning.

At least 3 kg of explosives, five guns and two improvised rocket launchers were also recovered Friday from Bankura's Sarenga locality, which shares a border with West Midnapore district.