Maoists blockade eastern India over economic zones
Afp, Ranchi
Maoist rebels in eastern Indian blew up a section of railway track, attacked trains and paralysed public transport at the start of a 48-hour blockade aimed at derailing government plans to establish special economic zones. The rebels called the strike in the impoverished states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Bihar as part of an increasingly violent effort to prevent the setting up of the low-tax business hubs. India's government is planning to build about 250 SEZs across the country, hoping the projects will attract foreign investors, radically improve infrastructure and create new jobs while maintaining the country's blistering economic growth figures. The latest strike by the Maoists -- who say they are fighting for the rights of neglected tribes and landless farmers and are active in half of India's 29 states -- has seen government forces again step up security in the east.
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Central Reserve Police Force Jawans inspects the site where a goods train was blown up by a land-mine near Chetar railway station in the Lathehar district of the eastern state of Jharkhand yesterday. Maoist insurgents in eastern India blew up a section of railway track, attacked trains and paralysed public transport at the start of a 48-hour economic blockade, police said. PHOTO: AFP |
