Maoist shutdown affects train services in Jharkhand

Palamau Express, Ranchi-New Delhi Garibrath and five local passengers were cancelled owing to the bandh, PRO (Dhanbad Railway Division), Amerandra Das, said.

The Howrah-Jabalpur Express, Jammu-Tavi Express and Ranchi-Ajmer Express were diverted via Rajbera-Gomo- Mughalsarai, he said.

Maoists have called for the shutdown in support of their demand for producing six of their "detained" leaders before a court.

Security forces are manning vital points, including railway tracks, since midnight last night while the police stations bordering West Bengal and Bihar have been put on high alert, police said.

Loading and unloading of minerals have also been affected at several places as truckers are keeping away from Naxal areas, police said.

This is the third shutdown by the Maoists in Jharkhand this year. "The Maoists have been imposing 45 to 50 bandhs every year, affecting our revenue. We take off trucks during bandhs to avoid any untoward incident," Jharkhand Truck Owners Association President Uday Shankar Ojha told reporters here.