Maoists Cause More Chaos Across India

Maoist rebels have set fire to four trucks and injured one security person today in India's eastern Ranchi. They've called for a 48-hour shutdown in five Indian states: Eastern Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and central Chhattisgarh beginning on Monday the 24th. The call has been given to protest against the alleged arrest of two of senior maoist rebels. [Shayam Sunder, Truck Driver]: "There were more than 30 armed people who asked us to get out and leave the area. After that they burned the trucks." In Jharkhand the shutdown has, in particular, affected the public transportation system leaving many train and bus passengers stranded. Maoists also blew up mobile towers in the Latehar and Palamau districts of the state. However, police officials believe that the attack was basically targeted on them. [Anup T Mathew, Superintendent of Police]: "Around 12 at night, our patrolling party was moving on the road. There were some trucks ahead of us, which they burned. Basically, they were targeting police." Last month the federal government banned and formally labeled Maoist insurgents a terrorist group. They're hoping it will give security forces more enforcement powers.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ntd
• ntdtv
• news
• maoists
• india
• across
• chaos
• police
• trucks
• maoist
• eastern
• security
• rebels
• jharkhand
• burned
• shutdown
• us
• west