Maoist targets Strategic Installation in Chhattisgarh

     Dantewada, March 29, 2014: Three engines and three bogies of a good train were derailed in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh after Maoists allegedly damaged the rail track, police said today.

     “Three engines and three bogies of an iron ore laden goods train were derailed yesterday night,” Dantewada District Superintendent of Police Narendra Khare said today.

     “No one was killed or injured in that incident,” the district police chief said.

     However, due to the accident, goods and passenger transportation was disrupted in that section, which connect Dantewada district with eastern Indian port city of Visakhapatnam, he said.

     Of late Maoists have become hyper active in Chhattisgarh.

     On March 11 launching a major strike the red rebels had killed 15 security personnel and a civilian in Sukma district, located in south of Chhattisgarh.

     Also yesterday the Maoists had set on fire 15 trucks and one earth removing vehicle (JCB) in Kirandul area, in the same Dantewada district, Khare said.

     The train derailment took place between Bhansi and Kirandul, about 435 kilometre south of Raipur.

     “In the dress of villagers, some unknown Maoists had removed a portion of rail track, because of which goods train got derailed yesterday night,” Dantewada SP said.

     “It has become difficult to differentiate Maoists with common villagers as the rebels have been committing crimes in the dress of innocent tribal villagers,” Khare said.

     Maoists have also called for a day long total shut down (Bandh) today expressing solidarity with their jailed comrades.

     “No untoward incidents have been reported from any parts of Bastar during the shutdown strike of the Maoists,” the Police officer said adding security forces have been put on high alert for the Maoists shut down strike.

     However, local people said, transport vehicles are not plying on the rural area of Maoists affected districts in south of Chhattisgarh and in most places passengers are seen stranded in many places.

     Meanwhile, the Dantewada SP said restoration work in the railway track are continued in war footing as that is the life line for passenger and goods transportation.

     Iron ore from Kirandul and Bailadila areas of Dantewada are being exported to China, Japan, Korea and other countries through the port city of Visakhapatnam. The iron ore are being transported to Visakhapatnam by rail route and then shipped to various countries.