3 killed in Maoist bandh

Patna, Sep 23 (UNI) Three people, including a SAP jawan, were today killed during the 24-hour bandh called by the banned CPI(Maoists) in Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh since midnight last night.

The bandh, called in protest against the recent arrest of the top leaders of the CPI(Maoists) and comrades by the Jharkhand police, evoked response in the remote areas and places of Maoists' dominance in Bihar.

Inspector General(headquarters) Anil Sinha here said sporadic incidents of violence were reported from some of the extremist-infested areas as the Maoists gunned down two people, including a SAP jawan, in Gaya district. They also torched 13 trucks and a bus. A truck driver was also reportedly shot dead in the shoot-out by the rebels.

Sources at the ECR said train services remained affected.

Several trains were cancelled and route of others diverted.

The ultras exploded bombs near Pahleja station on the Mughalsarai-Dehri-on-Sone section of East Central Railways and damaged a portion of the tracks.

Mr Sinha said the elaborate security arrangements across the state would continue till the wee hours tomorrow. The police had been asked to remain extra cautious during the night. Special deployment was made in the sensitive pockets and in the extremism-plagued districts of South Bihar, including Jehanabad, Gaya, Arwal, Rohtas, Aurangabad and Patna.

Superintendent of Railway Police Ajitabh Kumar said pilot engines were being run ahead of express and mail trains in the affected areas. He said the Government Railway Police personnel were on alert in the extremist-hit areas and the BMP was keeping a close watch on the railway tracks.

Meanwhile, reports pouring in from district headquarters said vehicles remained off the roads in remote areas of the extremism-plagued places.

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UNI