Maoists blast tracks on second day of strike
By IANSWednesday, May 19, 2010
KOLKATA - The driver and his assistant of a goods train were injured when Maoists blasted rail tracks between Jhargram and Gidhni stations in West Bengal Wednesday on the second day of a 48-hour shutdown called by the rebels in five states.
The incident occurred at the Jhargram station, about 155 km from here, in West Midnapore district.
“The explosion occurred at 2 a.m. The engine of the goods train was damaged. The driver and his assistant suffered minor injuries,” Additional Director General of police (Railways) Dilip Mitra told IANS.
“Train movement was disrupted as the overhead wires got snapped due to the explosion,” he said.
A large contingent of police and paramilitary personnel were sent to the spot. Repair work began without delay.
The Howrah-bound Mumbai Mail, Hatia Express and Koraput Express were held up at various stations for hours.
Maoists have called a two-day shutdown ending Wednesday in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Orissa.
