In a brazen act of sabotage, ultras of the banned CPI (Maoist) targeted and blew up a section of third line railway tracks between Manoharpur and Goilkera, under West Singhbhum in the wee hours of Friday. The incident, unfolding within the jurisdiction of the Goilkera police station, has resulted in severe disruptions to train services on the crucial Howrah-Mumbai route.
According to West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police, Ashutosh Sekhar, the destructive act occurred during the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. The blast occurred between Goilkera and Posoita railway stations, approximately 112 km from the city.
The explosion has caused significant damage to the railway infrastructure, leading to the suspension of train services along the busy Howrah-Mumbai corridor. Authorities are currently assessing the extent of the damage, and restoration efforts are expected to be challenging given the remote location of the incident.
The West Singhbhum SP emphasised the need for swift and coordinated efforts to repair the damaged tracks and restore normalcy to the affected railway route. Security forces and railway officials are actively engaged in addressing the aftermath of the incident.
The disrupted transportation services have inconvenienced passengers and disrupted the flow of goods between Howrah and Mumbai. Authorities are advising commuters to stay informed about the status of train services and make alternative travel arrangements until the tracks are repaired and deemed safe for use.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges posed by extremist groups in certain regions, underscoring the need for heightened security measures and vigilance to ensure the safety of critical infrastructure and the general public. Law enforcement agencies are expected to intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible for the attack and to prevent further acts of violence.
Meanwhile, in a concerted effort, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), in collaboration with the Government Railway Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), has initiated a large-scale operation to apprehend Maoists. However, as of now, there are no reports of any arrests of suspected Naxalites.
Insider sources suggest that the anticipation of Maoists targeting railway lines during their bandh was well-known. Railways are considered particularly vulnerable, deemed as the softest of soft targets. The strategic targeting of railway infrastructure aligns with the Maoists' objective of gaining widespread publicity, as the disruption of such a critical transportation network draws attention to their cause. The calculated nature of their actions underscores the challenge faced by authorities in preventing these attacks and highlights the need for heightened security measures to safeguard vital infrastructure and maintain public safety. As the operation unfolds, authorities remain vigilant, aiming to curtail any potential threats posed by the Maoist insurgents and safeguard the integrity of railway services.
