On the call of Naxalites for observation of martyrdom week from November 24 to December 2, calm prevailed in Bastar on Wednesday. Business in the Naxalite-affected areas has come to a standstill and vehicular traffic halted. Because of the fear, the only passenger train on KK line from Waltair to Kirandul did not run.
According to railway sources, passenger trains on the Kirandul-Vishakhapattanam would not run until December 2. Until then, passenger trains will run from Waltair to Jagdalpur. Considering the earlier attacks seriously, the rail administration, in view of the security of passengers, has issued instructions to run passenger trains on KK line upto Jagdalpur only, in spite of Kirandul. Traffic of goods trains on this line has also been stopped.
A wide effect of the martyrdom week could be seen in the Naxal-affected areas. In other areas and cities, it has no effect. Out of the seven districts of Bastar division, business activities and haat bazaars have been halted in the interior areas of Bijapur, Narayanpur, Jagadalpur and Kanker districts. In these areas vehicular traffic, both passenger and goods transportation, has come to a grinding halt. Plying of passenger buses and taxies have been stopped from Jagadalpur.
Bastar IG Arun Dev Gautam said that the police have taken precautionary measures in view of the observation of martyrdom week by the Naxalites. Because of possible attacks, tight security arrangements have been made in the Naxal-affected areas. Special alert has been sounded in the sensitive areas, he added.