Maoists blow up railway station in Orissa

More than 20 ultras stormed Roxy railway station, located in a remote place under K Bolang police station area, in the early hours and triggered the explosion after asking the employees to move out, police sources said.

The rebels also abducted three persons including the station master besides setting ablaze about 15 heavy vehicles parked near the small railway station used mainly for iron ore transportation, police said.

The station is used for transporting iron ore to Rourkela Steel Plant here.

Tension prevailed and panic spread among the people in the entire district after the attack on the railway station. Although a police station housing a Central Reserve Police Force has been set up in K. Bolang area, police took a long time to reach the spot, locals alleged.

A 48-hour bandh called by the Maoists began on Monday in five states, including Orissa, demanding release of their arrested activists.