Kolkata, Aug 18 - Normal life was partially affected in three tribal-dominated districts of West Bengal Tuesday following an indefinite shutdown called by the Maoists to protest alleged police excesses on the villagers.

The shutdown received a good response in the rural belts of Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore districts, particularly in Maoist strongholds.

Schools, colleges, shops and offices remained closed since Tuesday morning while public transport also kept off the road due to the shutdown.

Some shops remained open in the utban areas of the districts. Purulia town was relatively unaffected.

'No big incident has happened so far, except a minor landmine explosion at Kantapahari in West Midnapore district. The situation is peaceful as of now,' state Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Surajit Kar Purakayastha told IANS.

According to police sources, the joint forces are carrying out patrolling in and around West Midnapore district to prevent any untoward incident during the shutdown hours.