Maoist protest: High alert in Bihar, several trains cancelled

PATNA - A Maoist protest that began Saturday has led to a high alert in Bihar and the cancellation or diversion of several trains for the safety of passengers, official sources said.

The Maoists called for the strike in Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

Bihar police chief Anand Shankar said the force was directed to be alert and keep a close vigil on the situation. Additional security forces were deployed at important government buildings and railway stations across the state, he added.

Trains and government buildings, particularly schools, are soft targets for Maoists in the state. As a precaution, the East Central Railway cancelled some long distance trains and diverted several others.