Maoists explode bomb on rail line in Odisha

RAYAGADA (ODISHA): Suspected Maoists triggered an explosion on Visakhapatnam-Raipur railway line in Rayagada district early today, injuring one person and blowing up a portion of track that led to disruption of train services on the route.

The blast triggered in the wee hours by a low intensity improvised explosive device (IED) damaged about one metre of track at Munikhol near Muniguda Railway Station, Rayagada SP K Sibasubramani said.

A railway gangman, identified as Hari Mirdha, sustained minor injury in the incident, a Railway Protection Force (RPF) official said.

Bomb disposal squad visited the site of the blast, suspected to have been carried out by Maoists, the SP said adding that investigation was on.

Rail services on the route were disrupted for sometime and about half a dozen trains were stranded at Kesinga, Muniguda and Rayagada railway stations.

In a banner found from the site, Vansadhara-Nagabali and Ghumusar division of banned CPI ( Maoist) claimed responsibility for the blast saying they were opposed to the forthcoming India visit of US President Barack Obama, police officials said.

Railway officials swung into action to restore train services on the route.