Security beefed up at Patna railway station

Patna, Jul 8 (UNI) The security in and around Patna railway junction has been beefed up in the wake of the Maoist ultras' growing insurgent activities in the state.

Railway officials said here today that all long-route mail and express trains passing through the station or originating here were put under tight security, besides undergoing thorough checking.

The sources added that there had been an increase in attacks by extremists and the outfits had a history of targetting the railways, causing huge financial damage.

The Government Rail Police (GRP) personnel had also been directed to maintain extra vigil while escorting trains at night as the militants mostly launched attacks during late night hours.

The GRP was also instructed to check each and every compartment of the passenger trains, besides keeping a strict watch on suspicious elements.

Considering the huge flow of passengers from Patna railway station, search operations were being carried out from 1800 hours to 0200 hours, the sources informed.

''These measures have been taken up following a tip-off that the Maoists might attack and cause damage to the railway property,'' the sources added.

Special attention had been accorded to the passenger trains on Patna-Gaya section of Danapur division under the East Central Railway (ECR).

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