Around 200 Left-wing rebels hijacked a passenger train with over 400 people on board at Latehar district in eastern Indian state of Jharkhand Wednesday morning, a day ahead of the second phase of Indian parliament (Lok Sabha) polls, said Indian Home Ministry sources.
The Barkana to Mughalsarai train was hijacked by the militants at the Hehegada railway station in the district.
Latehar Deputy Commissioner of Police Sarvendu Tathagat told local media that forces had been dispatched to rescue the train and ensure the safe release of the passengers.
Local media reported earlier that over 50 left-wing rebels bombed the Utari Road railway station and also destroyed a nearby track in Palamau district, about 190 km from Ranchi, capital city of Jharkhand, late Tuesday.
Police said the militants had planned to target the New Delhi- bound Rajdhani Express, which was to pass through the station 30 minutes after the blast.
The route of the train was diverted after the incident. Railway services were disrupted on the Dehri Onson and Barkakana route.
The rebels also blew up a school and a health centre in Narayanpur village in Chatra district of Jharkhand Tuesday night.
Eighteen people, including 10 security personnel, were killed in left-wing rebel anti-polling violence in the first phase of polls in the same district on April 16.
(Xinhua News Agency April 22, 2009)
