Kolkata: The Naxals have called for a day-long bandh in West Bengal's jungalmahal area, which includes Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore districts, on October 22.
The Naxals have made four demands including revoking the suspension order of seven Indian Reserve Battalion personnel. They were suspended for protesting against their long-term postings in the jungalmahal region.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday said that the Centre will extend support to the West Bengal government when needed to deal with the Naxal menace in the state.
"The Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee) is competent enough to handle the situation and as and when she requires support, we will extend that," Mukherjee told the Economic Editors Conference in New Delhi.
He was responding to a question about Banerjee setting a seven-day deadline for Maoists to disarm themselves and come to the negotiating table.
Asked about criticism that development activities were concentrated in Murshidabad, his home district, Mukherjee said it is the "poorest" district in West Bengal and the whole of India.
"It is also one of the most backward districts. You should understand that setting up a university campus or an MBA institution will benefit the people outside the district as well," he said.
(With additional inputs from PTI)
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