Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / SOUTH ASIA
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Tuesday, 26 June 2007, 04:53 GMT 05:53 UK

'Maoist rebels' kidnap rail men

Map Maoist rebels in eastern India have kidnapped two people and blown up railway tracks in protest against the government's economic policies.

The rebels blew up tracks and partially destroyed a goods train in Jharkhand. They abducted the driver and the guard.

Some 20 trains travelling through the state have been cancelled as rebels began their strike early on Tuesday.

More than 6,000 people have died during the rebels' 20-year fight for a communist state in parts of India.

The goods train was damaged when the rebels blew up the tracks at Latehar in Jharkhand. The police said the rebels took away the driver and the guard, but there were no reports of any casualties.

A large number of trains which travel through the state have been diverted to other destinations, according to the BBC's correspondent in Jharkhand.

The rebels also set fire to six vehicles in the Dumka area, the police said.

In neighbouring Bihar state, two explosions were reported from near railway tracks early on Tuesday, but no damage was reported.

The rebels have called a 48-hour-long 'economic blockade' in three states to protest against the federal government's decision to allow special economic zones to boost exports and employment.

They say these enclaves will displace thousands of villagers.

The rebels have a presence in 18 of the 22 districts in Jharkhand.

Maoists operate in 182 districts in India, mainly in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal.

The rebels say they are fighting for the rights of poor peasants and landless workers.




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
'Policemen killed' in India blast (01 Jun 06 |  South Asia )
Indian states vote amid violence (03 Feb 05 |  South Asia )
Indian rebels 'kill 13 villagers' (12 Sep 05 |  South Asia )
Indian landmine blast kills 24 (04 Sep 05 |  South Asia )
Key Indian Maoist groups unite (08 Oct 04 |  South Asia )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Jharkhand government
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©