Rlys face 1000 cr loss over Maoist attacks: Mamata

New Delhi, Aug 20: Mamata Banerjee, the Railway Minister informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday, Aug 20, that due to Maoist attacks the railways have suffered a loss of Rs 1,000 crore.

Banerjee said this has also led to 416 cancellation of trains while 70 mail trains have been affected due to 75 bandhs called by Maoists.

During the question hour Banerjee said, "I appeal to them that this should not happen."

However, Banerjee refused to get provoked when opposition members asked whether those responsible for Jnaneshwari Express accident were present in her Lalgarh rally.

When Balbir Punj (BJP) wanted to know whether the Jnaneshwari Express accident was a case of sabotage, Banerjee said, "Let me deal with the issue impartially and not politically. Prima facie the mishap looks like a case of sabotage bomb blast. The CBI is probing the matter."

Ganga Charan (BSP) wondered as to why trains were increasingly being attacked by Maoists, "when she holds a soft corner for them".

"Policing on railways is a state matter. Prevention of crime, investigation and maintenance of law and order is the responsibility of the state police, which they discharge through Government Railway Police of the state concerned," later she added.

OneIndia News