Patna: Banned Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) and Peoples War (PW) triggered a series of blasts damaging some railway station buildings and tracks bringing train services between Delhi and Howrah to a halt during their 24-hour bandh today (Feb 27, 2004). Railway sources said heavily armed naxalites set off explosions badly damaging Ankorha railway station and cabin on the Mughalsarai-Patna section of East Central Railway early today.

The ultras also blew up a culvert and tracks near the station completely disrupting movement of trains on the section.

Attacks were also launched at Dania and Dasra railway stations in Dhanbad division and triggered a blast, which destroyed a portion of Dasra railway station and cabin.

Its stationmaster was kidnapped but later released.

An East Central Railway spokesman said that the naxalites chased away the staff at Dania railway station before locking it up.

He said, railway tracks were blown up between Paraiya and Kashtha stations on Mughalsarai-Gaya section and the cabin was locked by the ultras at Phesar railway station.

Over two-dozen trains, including those between Howrah and New Delhi were stranded at several places following the attacks, which has also caused cancellation of a number of trains.

The bandh has been called by the two-naxalite outfits in several States including Bihar and Jharkhand in protest against police atrocities.