Goods train blown up, lifting of minerals effected due to blockade
Ranchi, June 26 (UNI) A goods train was blown up, rail traffic disrputed in several places today amid the high alert sounded in the wake of the two-day economic blockade, called by the banned CPI (Maoist) last midnight in the state.
About 13 bogies of a goods train were damaged and a passenger train was derailed after the railway tracks were blown by ultras in several places.
A pair of trains had been cancelled and the routes of a few trains had also been changed in view of the blockade.
Railway sources told UNI today that about 13 bogies of a goods train was damaged following the twin explosions triggered by the ultras in between Cheter and Richughata railway stations under Barkakana-Barwadih sections.
Several rounds were also fired by the ultras, sources said, adding that no one was injured.
The lifting of coal, bauxite, iron ore and other minerals was adversely effected, despite administration's high alert preventive measures.
The over-head wires were also damaged after an electric pole fell, following the explosions.
The railway track near the eastern cabin of the Barwadih railway station was damaged after an explosion at about 0330 hrs by the ultras.
Besides, the ultras stopped a goods train loaded with coal between Rania and Barkakana railway stations late last night under Dhanbad railway division.
Soures said that movement of trains was also disturbed for about one hour after the ultras blocked a railway crossing by putting a truck in between the tracks at the Isri Bazar area in Giridih district.
Meanwhile, a pair of trains, including 8611 Ranchi-Varanasi inter-city express, was cancelled on June 25 and 26, while 2873 Jharkhand Swarnjayanti Express and 8612 Varanasi-Hatia inter-city express were cancelled for tomorrow and routes of Varanasi-Ranchi inter-city and 8102 Jammutawi Hatia Express had also been changed.
Director General of Police J B Mahapatra had said that all sensitive areas would be kept under strict vigil with special emphasis on railways, the commonest target of the naxals during such agitations.
Mr Mahapatra had said pilot engines would be run for maximum trains additional routes of some trains would also be changed.
Besides, measures were being taken so that normal traffic on the roads was not affected.
About 18 districts out of the total 22 in Jharkhand are naxal-dominated.
UNI