Maoists take about 75 train passengers hostage in Jharkhand

Maoists on Wednesday took about 75 people hostage after stopping a passenger train near Hehegarha railway station in Latehar district during their 24-hour Jharkhand-Bihar bandh. "The Maoists stopped the Gomo-Mogulsarai BDM train this morning. About 70 to 75 passengers are in the train," Latehar Deputy Commissioner Sarvendu Tathagat told reporters here. "The target of the Maoists are the police, and the police are moving cautiously to the place," he added. According to police, a group of Maoists warned the station master against any movement of trains during their bandh.
Maoists trigger blast at railway station in Jharkhand
In a separate incident, Maoists triggered a blast at Utari-road railway station in Palamau as their 24-hour Jharkhand-Bihar bandh got underway. A group of Maoists triggered a blast at the station, Palamau Deputy Commissioner Amitabh Kaushal said. However, the extent of the damage could not be immediately ascertained. The Maoists have called a bandh in protest against the killing of some of their cadres recently. The bandh began last night.
School blown up
A group of Maoists also blew up a school building in Narayanpur under Pratappur block in neighbouring Chatra district, police said. A note left by the Maoists claimed responsibility for the attack, police said.