2-day Naxal bandh from today, states on high alert

A two-day bandh has been called by the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) to protest the killing of their spokesperson Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad by the police in Andhra Pradesh. See special

A two-day bandh has been called by the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) to protest the killing of their spokesperson Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad by the police in Andhra Pradesh.

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The Centre has asked all Naxal-hit states to take all precautionary steps to thwart any attempt of violence during the bandh.

It has also asked the Indian Railways to take all possible measures to protect its properties and passengers during the 48 hour bandh called by the CPI(Maoists) beginning today.

The Maoists also urged people not to board trains on the two days of their Bharat Bandh.

CPI(Maoist) politburo member and spokesperson Koteshwar Rao alias Kishenji said in a recorded message to the media "this time we will not allow the railways to function smoothly".

"We request you not to board trains on these two days (July 7 and 8). We are sorry for the inconvenience caused," Kishenji said in the statement.

The 'request' assumes importance in the backdrop of the derailment of the Jnaneswari Express by suspected Maoists in West Bengal on May 28 in which 148 passengers were killed.