Maoist bandh: Railways step up vigil, cancel trains

In view of the two-day bandh called by the Maoists in five states, railways today stepped up vigil across its network, especially in Bihar and Jharkhand, and cancelled some trains besides imposing speed restrictions on trains plying after sunset.

Naxal-hit Bihar and Jharkhand, which come under the jurisdiction of East Central Railway (ECR), have witnessed several incidents where Maoists have attempted to disrupt rail traffic, hijack passenger trains or blow up tracks during bandhs.

"Speed restrictions will also apply to all Rajdhani trains which originate or run through these two states during night time and will not travel beyond 75 kmph per hour," said a railway official.

ECR has cancelled eight trains and has decided to divert six others through safer routes to ensure safe passage of trains during these two days, said another official of the zone, headquartered in Hajipur.

The ultras have given a bandh call in Chattisgarh, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

During this period, trains running via Garwa Road-Barkakana stretch in Jharkhand will be diverted via Gomoh, Gaya and Mughalsarai.

"If necessary, patrol engines will run before Rajdhanis pass through the Gomoh-Gaya-Mughalsarai stretch," the official said.

During a similar bandh in March this year, Maoist had targeted the Bhubaneswar Rajdhani, derailing it near Gaya. Passengers had a providential escape when eight coaches of the train derailed after the ultras blew up the railway track.