Train taken hostage by pro-Naxal group; passengers safe

Two drivers of the New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express were kidnapped this afternoon near Banstala in West Midnapore district by People's Committee against Police Atrocities, which said they had taken the duo for flouting its rail roko call.Kishenji denies involvement | See special | Listen to podcast | Helpline no: 0674-2303110

Two drivers of the New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express were kidnapped on Tuesday near Banstala in West Midnapore district by People's Committee against Police Atrocities, which said they had taken the duo for flouting its rail roko call.

HT Image

According to TV reports, the two drivers were released after being kept in custody for hours. It has also been reported that the passengers in the train are safe. It has been further reported that PCPA had sought the release of their leader Chhatradhar Mahato from the police custody as condition for the release the abducted drivers.

Meanwhile, Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee speaking at a press conference said later she was ready for talks with the Maoists and appealed the Maoist to release the abducted train drivers.

The train came to a halt when driver K Anantha Rao found a felled tree across the tracks at Banstala, 10 km from Jhargram station, police sources said.

Some men then took him away along with assistant driver KJ Rao, the sources said.

Reports also said that one policeman was injured in firing between policemen and Naxals near Jhargram.