Latehar/Medininagar (Jharkhand):
A close shave for the Delhi-Ranchi Rajdhani Express while it was crossing Jharkhand.
Just 10 minutes after the train crossed an area in Latehar district, the track was blown up by Maoists. The incident took place at about 7:30 am on Monday morning.
PTI adds: Maoists on Monday began their 48-hour bandh in five states, including Jharkhand.
About 20 left-wing ultras blasted the tracks between Kumundi and Hehegarha railway stations, about 150 km from Ranchi, according to Latehar Railway station master P N Tiwari.
The blast occurred on the down line disrupting the Barwadih-Barkakana route, he said.
Besides Jharkhand, the Maoists are observing the shutdown in Orissa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Bihar to protest the alleged arrest of two senior members of the CPI
(Maoist).
Meanwhile, Maoists also blew up a mobile tower in Palamau district.
About 50 armed Naxalites reached the site of the tower situated on Aurangabad-Medininagar route in the district, stuffed explosives before blowing it up, Deputy Superintendent of Police Brajmohan Paswan, said.
The blast left a big crater on the spot, about 200 km from Ranchi, he added.
The CPI (Maoist) is observing a two-day shut down in Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar and Chhattisgarh against the arrest of two of its senior members.