Train movement remained paralysed during bandh

Patna, Nov 20 (UNI) On the second day of the Maoist-sponsored Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand bandh to protest the Nandigram issue, train movement was paralysed for more than eight hours on East Central Railways (ECR) following a blast between Bhaluai and Kiul railway stations in Bihar last night midnight.

ECR CPRO A K Chandra said here today that the movement of trains remained affected for over eight hours on both Up and down lines.

Giving details of the incident, he said the railway personnel noticed the damaged railway tracks in about 2.3 mt on the down lines when they were trying to restore power supply which snapped suddenly in between Jamui and Jhajha railway stations.

Mr Chandra said the movement of the trains was stopped immediately and the damaged tracks were repaired by this morning.

He said the movement of trains was restored on the up line by 0730 hrs and the trains plying on the down track had also been diverted on the up lines.

He said the security drill would continue following the 48-hour bandh call of the Maoists, adding special vigil was being maintained around the railway tracks with the help of the RPF, GRP and the state police.

UNI