Bus set on fire by suspected Maoists

Suspected Maoists and members of PCPA set fire to a bus on Monday in West Midnapore district in protest against the arrest of tribal leader Chhatradhar Mahato, police said.

Suspected Maoists and members of People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) set fire to a bus on Monday in West Midnapore district in protest against the arrest of tribal leader Chhatradhar Mahato, police said.

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The passengers of the bus, going to Jhargram from Bankura district, were ordered to alight before the vehicle was set ablaze near Rathberia village, about 40 kms from Lalgarh, which was the epicentre of the PCPA movement, they said.

Police and fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot and doused the flames.

The Maoists and the PCPA had exploded a landmine on Saturday immediately after Mahato's arrest at Birka, near Lalgarh.

Mahato has been charged with sedition and funding of a terror outfit. He has been booked under various sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Indian Penal Code.