Maoists Trigger Blasts, as Jharkhand Shutdown Begins

Banned Maoist rebels commenced a 48-hour statewide shutdown by blasting a small railway station, tracks and other buildings at several places in Jharkhand, early morning on Sunday.

Armed Maoists planted explosives and triggered the blast, damaging the one-room building of Mahubuang railway station in Simdega and railway tracks in the wee hours, Inspector General of Police, V Deshmukh, was reported as saying by PTI.

According to media reports citing police sources, security personnel are at the spot, where repair work is currently underway.

Late last night, rebels blew up a stretch of railway track between Jageswar and Dania in Bokaro district, electricity lines along the tracks were also snapped by the impact.

No casualties were reported from any of the incidents.

Maoists also blew up a panchayat hall and a school building at Pipra village in Palamau hours before the bandh started at midnight, the police said.

The rebels called for the shutdown to demand production of its South Chhotanagpur Zonal Committee leader Ashok Mahto in a court, Jharkhand police however denied the claim.