Maoists blow up railway station, staff feared abducted

Rourkela: Maoists blew up a railway station, stormed another and are feared to have abducted two railway officials in Orissa's Sundergarh district early on Saturday just hours before the 24-hour bandh by the ultra left began in

five states.

About 60 Maoists, including women, struck Bhalulata railway station, 25 km from here on Howrah-Mumbai section, and triggered explosions using landmines and powerful explosives, inspector in-charge of Bisra police station C S Mohanty said.

The station building was virtually razed to the ground as its roof collapsed under the impact of the explosions, Railway police said, adding nobody was injured in the attack.

The station master, a gateman and a porter fled the scene and reappeared about four hours after the incident to resume duty, they said.

Another railway station at Chandiposh, about 30 km from here on Rourkela-Barasuan section, was also attacked by about 50 Maoists around the same time, police said adding the ultras left after firing but the station master S K Singh and his assistant Samir Mukherjee are missing since then.

The two are feared to have been abducted by the ultras and efforts are on to trace them, police said.