Train hijack leaves Centre worried

Passengers, driver, guard safe after Naxalites release the train in Jharkhand's Latehar district

Although this morning Naxalites released the train which they had held captive since last evening near Heyagarha railway station in Jharkhand's Latehar district without harming passengers, the government is seriously worried that such an incident could have happened at all.

After the "hijack" of an entire train by Left Wing Extremists ""mainly Maoists, who were protesting a comrade's death at the hands of the police""on its way from Barkakhana in Jharkhand to Mughalsarai in Uttar Pradesh close to a thick jungle between Heyagarha and Kumundi stations, the Centre is baffled.

"Around 400 security personnel have reached the spot and all passengers, the driver and the guard are safe," Inspector General of Police (special branch) BC Verma said. The engine of the train has been partially damaged, he said, adding that the train would resume journey after repairs.

Police said the Naxalite action was in protest against the death of one of their self-styled commanders Jagannath Koiri in a police encounter in Palamu district on March 3. The incident took place in the midst of a 24-hour bandh called by the Naxalites in Palamu division, which covers Latehar district, to protest against the incident.

This is the most daring action of Maoist rebels after the jailbreak in Bihar at the height of Bihar Assembly elections three months ago. No arrests have been made so far in the case.

According to the passengers, about 45 Naxalites, who had laid siege to the train, left the spot without harming them as the day broke.

Stating that the police were the target of the Maoists activists and not the passengers, DIG (Palamu range) Ram Lakshman Prasad said the forces comprising CRPF and state police had taken all precautions while reaching the spot. Latehar Superintendent of Police Subodh Prasad and a CRPF commandant led the security personnel to the spot.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha was the first to respond to the massive security breach that the incident represents. Demanding President's Rule in Jharkhand, opposition leader Sudhir Mahato alleged that the Arjun Munda government had "virtually failed" in tackling increasing extremist activities.

Terming the incident as unprecedented and "first of its kind in the world", Mahato said, "We have heard about plane hijacks, but not incidents of such a nature. This government has no moral right to continue in power."