Maoists torch bus; explosives unearthed

Suspected Maoists set a state transport bus on fire after forcing its passengers to get down even as security forces unearthed explosives from another area in 'jangalmahal' region of Bankura district today.

Suspected Maoists set a state transport bus on fire after forcing its passengers to get down even as security forces unearthed explosives from another area in 'jangalmahal' region of Bankura district today.

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Around 45 people, suspected to be Maoists, intercepted the bus going from Asansol to Sarenga at Tantidanga, 2 kms from Sarenga town. After evicting the passengers, they set the vehicle ablaze and fled from the spot in two trucks, police said.

They said the Maoists' aim might be to preoccupy security forces and foil a scheduled meeting of senior police officers at Raipur in the district.

The meeting, however, went on as scheduled in which security measures were discussed ahead of the proposed visit of West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan to the district on June 23, they said.

Meanwhile, security forces unearthed around 50 gelatine sticks and explosives from two bags left unclaimed at a bus stand in Simplipal area of the district, police said.