Maoist sabotage threat hits Bengal train movements
By IANSWednesday, June 9, 2010
KOLKATA - Train movement was late Wednesday suspended over a part of the South Eastern Railway in West Bengal following intelligence inputs that Maoists had assembled near the tracks in West Midnapore district for another sabotage attempt, officials said.
Divisional Railway Manager (Kharagpur) Anil Handa told IANS that around 7 p.m. he was informed by the state police and government railway police (GRP) personnel that between 100 and 150 armed Maoists had gathered between Chakulia and Jhargram stations.
“Immediately, railway officials and other staff were informed and it was decided to suspend train movement over Kharagpur-Tatanagar section,” Handa said.
The Howrah-Tatanagar Steel Express, which was then at Kalaikunda, was brought back to Kharagpur. The Howrah-bound Duranto Express was also taken back to Tatanagar to ensure safety of the passengers, he said.
Police sources claim the alert was sounded after the interception of a telephonic conversation by Maoists calling for an attack on the Duranto Express Wednesday and the Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express Thursday.
On May 28, the Mumbai-bound Gyaneshwari Express ran off the tracks near Jhargram because of alleged Maoist sabotage and a speeding freight train rammed into five derailed coaches. In all, 148 passengers were killed and scores were injured.
As part of security measures in the wake of the May 28 derailment, passenger train services were stopped in the Kharagpur-Rourkela and Kharagpur-Adra sections between 10 p.m. and 5 p.m.
But following Wednesday’s intelligence report, train services were suspended on the stretches three hours in advance.
Joint security forces, engaged in flushing out Maoists in large parts of West Midnapore, conducted raids in some villages near the track but failed to find any rebelS.
Train movement will start once the track is sanitised thoroughly. “Arrangements have been made to bring back the passengers of the Howrah-Tatanagar Steel Express to Howrah by train. Security has also been beefed up,” Handa said.
