Maoists attack passenger train, loot rifles

Jamshedpur, Dec 10: Armed Maoist guerillas today attacked the Tata-Kharagpur passenger train at Kanimahali station near Chakulia in Jharkhand-Bengal border and looted two rifles and as many Walkie Talkies from the RPF jawans in an attempt to take away the cash chests, high officials said.

Tatanagar railway superintendent of police Priya Dubey and East Singhbhum superintendent of police Pankaj Darar rushed to the spot along with forces.

East Singhbhum deputy commissioner N M Kulkarni said the ultras targeted the compartments of the 346 Dn Kharagpur bound train which had cash chests but the RPF jawans resisted and foiled the attempt of the rebels to loot money.

One RPF jawan was injured in the scuffle and the ultras managed to snatch two rifles and two Walkie Talkies from the jawans.

Mr Kulkarni said all the passengers in the train were secure and safe.

The train was stranded at the station and an intense search was going on to find out if explosives were kept in the train or on the railway track, he said.

Meanwhile, train services in the Kharagpur-Chakradharpur section were affected following the incident.

A West Midnapore report corroborated the fact said a group of 25 Peoples' Guerilla Liberation Army, armed wing of the Maoists, placed a bomb before the locomotive and forced the train to halt near Kanimohuli station at about 1000 hours this morning. They snatched the Walkie-talkie from the driver and the guard at gunpoint and seriously beat up the two RPF constables.

District Magistrate B P Barat said he was informed of the incident at about 1100 hours and rushed for the spot.

Borders between Bengal and Jharkhand have been sealed to prevent fleeing of the guerillas.

CRPF commandant Sunil Kumar Parph reached the scene and started combing operation along with Ranchi police.

The train was now stationed at Kanimohuli Halt Station waiting for the Divisional Railway Manager from Kharagpur to reach the spot.

Tension has gripped the entire area.

This was first case that a passenger train was taken control by the Maoists for some time.

UNI

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