The 12-hour statewide strike called by Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan on Monday to protest a recent atonement ritual that four tribal women were “forced” to perform in South Dinajpur had a mixed impact in Bengal’s tribal belts.

The strike disrupted normal life in most parts of South Dinajpur. It partially impacted nearby North Dinajpur and Malda. There were protests in parts of Jungle Mahal districts of Jhargram, Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore.

Around 10 days back, four tribal women had to perform “dandi” or a ritual of atonement on a street in Balurghat town, for around 1km, for shifting their allegiance from Trinamul to the BJP.

A day after they joined the BJP, some Trinamul leaders persuaded them to rejoin Mamata Banerjee’s party.

“But before they were re-inducted into Trinamul, Pradipta Chakraborty (the now-sacked president of Trinamul women’s wing in South Dinajpur) made them perform the atonement ritual. It was atrocious. She insulted the entire tribal community. We called this strike to protest her act and demand her arrest,” said Mohan Hansda, chief of north Bengal zone, Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan.

Police arrested two Trinamul workers for the incident. “Everybody knows Pradipta Chakraborty’s involvement. Yet, she is roaming around. We fail to understand why the police are not taking any step,” said Bibhuti Tudu, another tribal leader.

On Monday morning, tribal people raised road blockades in various locations. One was raised on NH12 at Siliguri More in Raiganj.

Balurghat town wore a deserted look as shops, markets, banks and private offices were shut. Protesters assembled in front of the district collectorate and tried to prevent employees from entering the building. A rally headed towards Chakraborty’s house but the police stopped it.

In Malda, the strike impacted Gazole and its suburbs. Tribal people reached local roads and highways and blocked them. Carrying bows and arrows, they shouted slogans, demanding steps against all those who had made the women perform the ritual.

Blockades were reported on NH27 at Islampur and Phansidewa and on NH12 at Itahar and Dalkhola. In Purulia, a two-hour blockade was raised at Arsha on NH23, which links Jharkhand’s Jamshedpur. At most sites, blockades lasted two to three hours. They were lifted once the police intervened. In most of these districts, private buses stayed off roads.

The BJP backed the strike. “The police should arrest Chakraborty, no point shielding her and arresting others,” said South Dinajpur district BJP chief Swarup Choudhury.

Asked for his reaction, district Trinamul chief Mrinal Sarkar said: “We don’t support any strike.’