Tuesday, November 15 2005 16:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Police foiled a Naxalite bid to blow up a BSNL mobile tower in Gadchiroli district of east Maharashtra where the ultras have given a call for bandh today (Nov 15, 2005) to protest the recently announced surrender policy of the State Government, police said.

Police also rounded up a prominent Naxalite in south Gadchiroli early today after a fierce exchange of gunfire, police added.

According to Gadchiroli SP, Shirish Jain, Naxalite cadre had placed explosives at a BSNL tower at Dehlenwadi village in north Gadchiroli in an attempt to blow the tower.

The attempt was foiled by a police Patil, who after being tipped off, reached the spot along with villagers, forcing Naxal members to flee, Jain said, adding that posters and pamphlets regarding the bandh were seized from the spot.

Jain said details were awaited on the encounter between police patrol parties and Naxalites on Saraigaon-Murumgaon road in south Gadchiroli.

Naxalite also made three attempts to block the road in south Gadchiroli by felling trees and digging the road. But police teams have cleared the blockades, Jain added.