Rourkela:
Armed Maoists, including women cadres blew up a cabin signal point of Bandamunda railway station in Orissa, disrupting railway service on Howrah Mumbai and Rourkela-Hatia railway lines.
According to Railway sources 50 to 60 armed Maoists blasted the signal point around 2 am at a place about 10 km from Rourkela, causing damage to the ASM room.
The Maoists left a number of posters opposing anti-Maoist Operation Green Hunt taken up by Centre, harassment to the innocent tribals and demanded the release of Dr Binayak Sen.
As a result of the blast, long-distance trains were controlled at various stations, railway sources said.
During their operation, the ultras took hostage to 12 employees on duty. They were later released after giving threats, sources said.
Senior railway officials have rushed to the spot.
Repair work was continuing and restoration of train services would take place after security clearance, the initial reports said.