Maoists torch buses, blast forest office
Maoists torched four government-owned buses, triggered landmine blasts to destroy a mobile tower and a forest beat house ahead of their day-long bandh in Orissa today to protest alleged police excesses.
The incidents took place at Raipanka in Adaba police station last night when armed Maoists asked the passengers of the buses to get down and set ablaze the vehicles, police said.
The night buses were plying to different places in southern districts via Raipanka when they came under attack, they said.
The Maosits destroyed a mobile tower of BSNL and a forest beat house at Balimela in Malkangiri district during the night by triggering landmine blast before asking the watchmen to come out.
The ultras also blocked roads connecting southern Orissa district headquarters by felling trees on the roads.
Normal life was affected in the districts in view of the bandh call with most of the shops and business establishments closed. Police have tightened security at vulnerable places in view of the bandh.
