Maoist guerrillas blew up a foot of rail track in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district, disrupting train services on day two of their shutdown in three states.
The incident occurred early in the day between Midnapore and Bhadutala stations when a pilot engine that precedes the Chakradharpur Passenger was crossing the spot. The engine driver felt the shock but there was no damage, Additional Director General (Railways) Dilip Mitra told IANS.
“There was a crack of one foot. The police, paramilitary forces and bomb squad personnel were rushed and the track was repaired,” he said.
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A South Eastern Railway spokesman said services were disrupted in the Kharagpur division till 9.15 a.m. with several long distance and express trains stopped at various stations.
The Maoists called a two-day shutdown starting Monday in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa to demand that their arrested comrades be brought to the courts speedily.