Siliguri, Nov 24 The Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) on Tuesday called for a 12 hour state-wide shutdown in West Bengal to protest against rising prices of essential commodities.

They are also demanding the withdrawal of the combined security forces of the central and the State governments, deployed to combat Maoists and the students of the Primary Teacher's Training (PTT) institutes to get priority in getting jobs in the primary schools.

Prabhas Ghosh, secretary of SUCI accused the ruling CPI-M of sponsoring violence in Lalgarh area of West Midnapur district, which was briefly called a 'liberated zone' by Maoists.

"We are protesting mainly against three things - rising cost of essential commodities, CPI-M sponsored violence in the state, withdrawal of the combined forces from Lalgarh in West Midnapore and the students of the PTT institutes should get priority in getting jobs in the primary schools, " said Ghosh.

The shutdown disrupted the railway and bus services in the state.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also called for a shutdown in the state on November 30 on the same issues. (ANI)