Patna, Nov 10 : Bihar police have detained four people for questioning after the seizure of a huge consignment of explosives and chemicals, suspected to be meant for Maoists, a police official said Tuesday.

Deputy Inspector General, central range, Jitendra Kumar said that four people have been detained and police are trying to trace the route of the deadly consignment, seized on Saturday and Sunday in Patna.

Police seized 900 kg of explosives - 600 kg on Sunday and 300 kg on Saturday - as well as 18 bags of explosives powder on Sunday from a house in a residential locality in Bhootnath Road and 300 kg of explosives on Saturday. Besides, 300 bottles of chemicals for preparing IEDs, 7,221 live cartridges, 50 detonators, parts for making 14 carbines and Maoist literature were also seized.

"Police are still in the dark as to why such a big consignment was brought here. Was it meant for attacking police stations or repeating the Jehanabad jailbreak by attacking the Central Beur Jail here," a police official said.

Police suspect that the deadly consignment was for supply to Maoists in Bihar and Jharkhand.

Meanwhile, the Patna police have shifted the Gaurichak police station, which was located in a remote area, to a community hall adjacent to the National Highway here for security reasons.

According to official sources in the police headquarters here, the police station was shifted following intelligence reports warning that police stations situated in deserted places could be attacked by Maoists. (IANS)