Dhanbad/Chaibasa, Nov 20 : The ultras belonging to the proscribed Maoists have caused damage to railway tracks in Dhanbad and West Singhbhum districts of the state severely impacting the train traffic movement as part of their 24-hour bandh call protesting against the arrest of their Polit bureau member Prashant Bose and his wife and central committee member Sheila Marandi.
A report from Dhanbad said that between Richughuta-Demu railway stations of the Dhanbad division in the wee hours of the day (0150hrs) a blast was executed between 206/26-29 up and down line due to which a diesel light engine 70584 was derailed and train movement was adversely impacted on both the lines.
Upon receiving information DRM Dhanbad Aashish Bansal along with senior officials reached on the spot. Efforts are on to get the tracks repaired on a war footing. From the spot pamphlets thrown by the Maoists have been also recovered.
As per the railway authorities, 18102 down Tata-Jammu Tawi Express has been diverted via Dehri On Sone while 13348 down Patna-Barkakana Palamu Express has been stopped at Garhwa Road station. Some passenger trains have been also cancelled.
On the other hand under Chakardharpur Division in West Singhbhum district in the wee hours of the day (0215hrs) between Lota Pahad and Sonuwa station near pole numbers 323/1-3, 323/2-4, 323/6 and 322/33A attempts were made to cause massive damage to the tracks by executing the blast.
Unfortunately, no major damage was caused and only some cement slippers under the tracks were damaged. Post the incident train traffic movement on the Rourkela-Chakardharpur railway route has been stopped.
Railway authorities along with security personnel including RPF and district police are at the spot and work was on to get the tracks fully functional as soon as possible. The blast has impacted the movement of trains including express, mail and passenger on the line.
Prashant Bose and his wife Sheila Marandi were nabbed by a team of Saraikela Police on November 12.
UNI
