Naxal bid to blow up anti-landmine vehicle fails in Jharkhand

Ranchi, June 22 (PTI) Maoists made an abortive bid to
blow up an anti-landmine vehicle Monday during their 48-hour
bandh even as the shutdown affected at least three districts
and evoked mixed response in several villages of
India's esatern state Jharkhand.

The blast which occurred at Chakulia in East Singhbhum
district inflated one of the tyres of the anti-landmine
vehicle Monday morning.

There was no harm caused to the police personnel who
were on patrolling duty, Inspector General of Police S N
Pradhan told PTI here. No untoward incidents were reported
elsewhere, he said.

Normal life in Gumla, Simdega, Garwah and Palamau
districts was affected with long distance buses off the roads
and shop-owners at block headquarters opting to keep their
establishments closed for fear of Maoist attacks.

Work in bauxite mines in Gumla and Lohardaga districts
was also affected as truck owners decided to stay off roads.

A Jamshedpur report said Tata-Danapur Express,
Tata-Purulia passenger train and Chakdradharpur passenger
trains have been diverted via Muri in the state for security
reasons. In Palamau, the police are escorting trains passing
through naxal-pockets.

Special security arrangements have been made at 18 of
the 24 districts in Jharkhand which are naxal-affected and
strict vigil is being kept on the state's borders. PTI TEAM
AM
NNNN