Maoist threat: 28 trains in Bihar, Jharkhand cancelled for a week

Patna: The East Central Railway (ECR) has decided to cancel running of 28 passenger trains under its five divisions in Bihar and Jharkhand for a week starting Sunday fearing disruption during Foundation Day celebrations of the banned Maoists during the period.

Considering past experience of Maoists attacking trains during bandh and other activities, the Railway has decided to run long distance mail/Express trains in a controlled and piloting basis, Chief Public Relation Officer of ECR Arvind Kumar Rajak said in a statement last evening.

Due to this, passenger trains would be kept off the track from September 21 to 27, it said.

Giving details of passenger trains cancelled, the ECR CPRO said eight trains each had been cancelled in Dhanbad and Samastipur divisions.

Five trains including three Gaya-Patna passengers, Jhajha-Kiul and Kiul-Gaya passengers have been cancelled under Danapur division, he said.

Four passenger trains have been cancelled under Sonpur division while three would not function under Mughalsarai division, he added.

PTI