VIOLENCE CONTINUED into the second day of the bandh called by Maoists on Tuesday with Left-wing terrorists setting afire a railway station in Orissa and abducting three railway employees. Ultras struck at the Roxy railway station situated in a remote area in the Sundergarh district of Orissa. The ultras asked the employees to vacate the building before triggering an explosion at the station.

About 20 ultras, who attacked the station also set on fire 15 heavy vehicles, which were used to transport iron ore to the Rourkela steel plant. There is fear and panic in the district after Maoist attacks, as people fear that more such operations could be in the offing. To protests against the arrest of two senior comrades, Maoists have called for a two-day strike in five states of Chattisgarh, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Jharkhand.

In Jharkhand also, Maoists blasted a mobile tower at Lali village in Latehar district, a day after they bombed two towers in Palamau district. In a related incident, ultras set on fire four trucks near Taimara Ghati for defying the bandh call. Maoists have also said that an indefinite bandh will remain in place in Bihar and Jharkhand till its two arrested leaders are produced in court.