Insurgents blow up schools in India, stop train (2nd Roundup)

Oct 27, 2009, 16:32 GMT

New Delhi - Suspected Maoist rebels blew up two schools and stopped a long-distance train after kidnapping its drivers in eastern India, news reports said Tuesday.

The drivers of the express train between Orissa state capital Bhubaneshwar and national capital Delhi were seized by a group supported by Maoist rebels, near Jhargram station in eastern West Bengal state, NDTV news channel reported.

The train was stranded for over five hours till paramilitary forces reached the spot and a relief train was sent to carry the passengers back to the nearest important junction, Jamshedpur.

'The CRPF (Central reserve Police Force) and the state police have reached the spot and the train has been secured,' federal Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters in New Delhi.

Maoist rebel leader Koteshwar Rao, alias Kishenji, told NDTV the train was stopped by a group protesting police atrocities, and not by the rebels. The civilian group which is active in the Lalgarh area of West Bengal is supported by the Maoists.

Eyewitnesses said a group of more than 400 people carrying red flags and banners and armed with sticks stopped the train.

The group dispersed when the CRPF men arrived. NDTV reported that the two drivers were released unharmed and all the passengers were safe.

Earlier, the rebels detonated explosives inside two state-run schools in Giridih district on Jharkhand, damaging the structures, PTI news agency reported.

There were no reports of casualties, according to police.

Insurgents routinely trigger blasts at schools used as shelters by government forces in their operations against the rebels.

Rebels have increased their actions against suspected informers, security personnel and government installations in recent months as the government gears up to launch a major military offensive.

 The operation is expected to begin in November, led by police in the affected states and supported by federal military forces, according to the Home Ministry.

 The rebels claim they are leading an armed rebellion to secure the rights of the poor and marginalized. They operate in some of India's poorest districts, specially forested land populated by tribal people that have seen little development.

 At least 2,671 people - including civilians, security personnel and rebels - have been killed in incidents related to Maoist violence in India since 2006, according to Home Ministry data.