This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8011660.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Indian Maoists free seized train | Indian Maoists free seized train |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Maoist rebels who seized a train carrying several hundred passengers in eastern India have released them. | |
| Up to 250 rebels took over the train as it travelled through Jharkhand state. | |
| They held the passengers for a short time but then withdrew. A Maoist spokesman there was no plan to cause harm and it was a symbolic gesture. | They held the passengers for a short time but then withdrew. A Maoist spokesman there was no plan to cause harm and it was a symbolic gesture. |
| The incident came a day before the second round of voting in India's general election. It was one of several rebel-linked attacks in the area. | |
| Blasts were reported at both a railway station and a government office in the state, but no-one was hurt. | |
| A bomb planted by suspected Maoists damaged Utari Road railway station | |
| In neighbouring Bihar state, rebels shot and killed a truck driver in the town of Gaya, and torched several trucks. | |
| The rebels have asked people to boycott the polls, which are taking place in five phases until 13 May. | |
| Tens of thousands of security personnel have been deployed ahead of Thursday's vote. | |
| At least 17 people were killed in attacks blamed on Maoists during the first stage of the election last week. | At least 17 people were killed in attacks blamed on Maoists during the first stage of the election last week. |
| Jungle retreat | Jungle retreat |
| The train was seized at 0830 local time (0300 GMT) as it passed through a remote part of the state. | The train was seized at 0830 local time (0300 GMT) as it passed through a remote part of the state. |
| Just over three hours later the Maoists freed the hostages and retreated back into the jungle, police told the BBC. | Just over three hours later the Maoists freed the hostages and retreated back into the jungle, police told the BBC. |
| Maoists have been blamed for attacks across a swath of India | |
| A Maoist spokesman, Gopal, told the BBC: "This was a symbolic gesture, no intention to cause harm to passengers and anyway it is very hot here." | A Maoist spokesman, Gopal, told the BBC: "This was a symbolic gesture, no intention to cause harm to passengers and anyway it is very hot here." |
| The hostage-takers - who had called for a strike in Jharkhand on Wednesday - were reportedly protesting against the death of five villagers allegedly shot by troops last week. | |
| The troops said the five were local Maoists, who were killed during a clash following an attack in which two soldiers died. | The troops said the five were local Maoists, who were killed during a clash following an attack in which two soldiers died. |
| Maoists operate in 182 districts in India, mainly in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal. | Maoists operate in 182 districts in India, mainly in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal. |
| This is not the first time rebels have seized a train in the area. In March 2006 they seized a train in Latehar, also in Jharkhand, taking many hostages - but freed them 12 hours later. | This is not the first time rebels have seized a train in the area. In March 2006 they seized a train in Latehar, also in Jharkhand, taking many hostages - but freed them 12 hours later. |
| Jharkhand is rich in minerals and forest resources, but its people are among the poorest in India. The rebels have a presence in 18 of the state's 22 districts. | Jharkhand is rich in minerals and forest resources, but its people are among the poorest in India. The rebels have a presence in 18 of the state's 22 districts. |
| The rebels say they are fighting for the rights of poor peasants and landless workers. | The rebels say they are fighting for the rights of poor peasants and landless workers. |
| Are you in the Jharkand? Have you been affected by this incident or by the earlier rebel attacks in the area? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in the Jharkand? Have you been affected by this incident or by the earlier rebel attacks in the area? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |