Night train movement suspension extended in WB, Jharkhand

The decision comes in the backdrop of CPI (Maoists) observing a week-long 'martyrs week' till Tuesday.

The Home Ministry has already issued an advisory to Maoist-affected states and asked the Railway authorities to tighten security in public places and areound their properties to foil any attempt by the Naxalites to strike during this period.

The suspension of night operations will remain in vogue from 10 PM to 5 AM between Kharagpur and Tatanagar and between Kharagpur and Adra, said a Railway Ministry official.
The suspension was put in place immediately after the Jnaneshwari train derailment on May 28, suspected to have been carried out by the Maoists. The accident had claimed 148 lives.
Both the South Eastern as well as the East Coast Railways have diverted or rescheduled several trains in view of the suspension notice.

In view of the martyrs week observance by the Maoists, the Railways have also stepped up vigil in Naxal-hit states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Maharahstra.

The MHA advisory has also asked the Railway Ministry to ensure proper security to trains and passengers travelling through these states and sought deployment of  additional guards in bridges and railway stations.

The Railway official said special task forces have been kept on standby to meet any eventuality, while trains are being run in bunches escorted by pilot engines, the official said. Speed restrictions have also been put on the locomotives.