Kolkata, Aug 23 - Two people were killed by suspected Maoist rebels in a tribal-dominated West Bengal district even as the security forces are gearing up to combat the two-day shutdown called by the Left extremists from Monday in the state.

The Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) called for a two-day shutdown in five eastern Indian states - West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh - to demand release of two of its cadres allegedly arrested by Bihar police Aug 19.

'We're making adequate arrangements to combat any untoward incident and violent attacks carried out by the Maoists,' West Midnapore Police Superintendent M.K. Verma told IANS Sunday.

He said: 'It's been noticed that the rebels are carrying out violent attacks during shutdown hours.