Maoists fire at running train during bandh

Maoist ultras fired at a running train in Orissa where normal life was hit in several Maoist-hit areas in the Bharat bandh called by them against price rise and scams in different sectors.
   
About 35 ultras fired at Barsuan-Rourkela passenger train this afternoon at Pattasahi in Sundargarh district. However, no casualty or injury has been reported, police said.
   
This is the only train connecting Rourkela and Barsuan to carry passengers working in the mining belt.
   
After firing, the rebels fled the scene.
   
Mining activities in K Balanag and Barsuan mines were suspended as the workers did not turn up.
   
The impact of the bandh was also felt in districts like Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Ganjam as private and government buses were off the road and shops and business establishments downed shutters.   

Offices and educational institutions recorded thin attendance and roads wore deserted, particularly in remote areas in these districts, officials in Bhubaneswar said.    

Security was tightened in Maoist-hit areas with heavy force deployment and intensive patrolling in vulnerable places to prevent any untoward incident, police said, adding no violence was reported from anywhere in the state.