Maoists attack Odisha railway station to oppose Modi visit

Maoists attacked a railway station in Odisha's Rayagada district early on Friday, triggered a blast and put up posters protesting against the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the state next month.

Around 15-20 Maoists stormed Doikalu railway station under Sambalpur Division shortly after mid-night and ransacked the station master's office, Chief Public Relations Officer of East Coast Railway (ECoR), J P Mishra said.

The ultras pulled out station master S K Parida and triggered an explosion in the station premises. Parida and a token porter Gobind Hikaka were also detained by them for a brief period, he said.

The attackers snatched the walkie-talkie of the station master, and forced staff of a goods train standing outside the station to shut down the engine, Mishra said.

Rayagada Superintendent of Police K Siva Subramani, who rushed to the spot, said minor damage was caused to the engine of the goods train.

No railway staff or local people was, however, hurt in the incident, the CPRO said adding control room has been able to speak to the staff.