RailEnquiry

Restarting night-time passenger train operations in the Left Wing Extremism-affected areas of West Bengal almost two years after the Jnaneswari Express blast, the Railway ministry is concerned that trains and tracks might be targeted again this year in the run-up to panchayat polls in the state.The Railway Ministry is understood to have written to the Home Ministry seeking additional protection cover for its network and property, especially in Junglemahal and neighbouring areas. Sources said a top railway official’s letter, dated April 20, requested 800 additional personnel of the Central security forces in the affected districts for protection of tracks and trains.The Trinamool Congress government has been considering advancing the panchayat elections to December this year or January next year from May 2013, when it is actually scheduled. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been giving ultimatums to the extremists in Junglemahal area and seeking additional grants from the Centre to tackle the problem more effectively.Following the Jnaneswari Express blast and derailment that killed around 150 passengers in 2010, the Railways had suspended night operations of passenger trains in the affected areas. Mainly five long distance passenger trains, three daily and two weekly trains had been rescheduled to avoid disturbed areas of Jhargram in West Midnapore and Purulia.Ever since lifting the suspension, the train operations have been without any hiccups with regards to security.Junglemahal and adjoining areas are already teeming with security forces, both of the Centre and the state. The operations reached a peak with the killing of top Maoist leader Kishenji in October last year. Since then the extremist groups have been issuing threats of avenging his death.