Two killed as Maoists attack train in Bihar

By IANS

Patna : Two security personnel were killed when a gang of 20 armed men, suspected to be Maoist guerrillas, attacked a police posse travelling on a train in Bihar, police here said Wednesday.


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The men attacked the Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel on the Howrah bound Kathgodam Express train at the Badagopal station in Saran district, about 80 km from here, Tuesday night.

Two GRP personnel were killed in the incident and two were injured but no passenger was killed. The Maoists also stole a carbine and three rifles from the policemen.

"The two GRP personnel were killed when they countered the Maoists' bid to loot arms," a police official said.

The incident once again raised questions about the safety of trains in Bihar. Just two days ago, armed robbers had looted cash and valuables worth over Rs.500,000 from a Dehradun-Howrah train.

At least six train robberies have been reported in the state in the last 40 days. Criminal gangs have usually targeted trains between the Buxar-Danapur and Danapur-Mokama rail lines.

While the Patna-Jhajha passenger train was looted on May 26, robbers struck the Mathura express on May 18. Similarly, passengers of the Himgiri express were robbed May 9 while a train was looted in the first week of June near Patna.

Apart from robberies, there have been numerous reports of women being harassed while travelling in trains.

Railway officials are in a tizzy on how to improve safety in trains.

The blame game is also on.

Last month, a railway official blamed the state's law and order situation for the looting in trains. The state government, however, responded by saying that it was the responsibility of railway authorities to ensure the safety of rail passengers.

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