Kolkata, Aug 18 - An indefinite shutdown called by Maoists to protest police excesses began in the three tribal-dominated West Bengal districts of Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore Tuesday.

The shutdown is supported by the People's Committee against Police Atrocity (PCAPA) that is also demanding the withdrawal of troops from troubled Lalgarh.

'We are also supporting the shutdown call and we demand the immediate withdrawal of joint forces from Lalgarh as they are torturing villagers in the name of flushing out Maoists,' PCAPA leader Chhattradhar Mahato said.

'No untoward incident has been reported so far in the three shutdown-hit districts,' West Bengal Inspector General (Law and Order) of Police Surajit Kar Purakayastha told IANS.