Maoists blow up a railway station; abduct two officials in Orissa

Maoists blow up a railway station; abduct two officials in OrissaSundergarh (Orissa), Feb 28 : About 60 Maoists have triggered explosions at the Bhalulata railway station, 25 km from Rourkela on Howrah-Mumbai section, and abducted two railway officials in Orissa''s Sundergarh district early Saturday.

According to the local railway police, the station building was virtually razed to the ground as its roof collapsed under the impact of the explosions done with the help of landmines.

The station master, a gateman and a porter fled the scene and reappeared about four hours after the incident to resume duty, they said, adding nobody was injured in the attack.

Another railway station at Chandiposh, about 30 km from Rourkela on Rourkela-Barasuan section, was also attacked by about 50 Maoists around the same time, the ultras left after firing but the station master S K Singh and his assistant Samir Mukherjee are missing since then, according to the police.

The two are feared to have been abducted by the ultras and efforts are on to trace them, police said.

Meanwhile, the authorities have deployed security forces to maintain a strict vigil at the railway stations.

A group of Maoists reportedly, obstructed laying of new rail tracks at Katkamsahi and allegedly took away machinery from the site on Friday night. (ANI)

General: