Malda train attack: Police may reshuffle forces

The police may reshuffle arrangements of the joint forces in North Bengal if investigation reveals that the attack in the Katihar-bound Malda-Katihar Express was carried out by Maoists.

Even as Maoist leaders operating in the Lalgarh-Jhargram belt claimed responsibility for the train attack,the police have neither confirmed nor ruled out the possibility of Maoist involvement.

Around nine miscreants had boarded the Up 605 Katihar-Malda Express in the guise of passengers and attacked the Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel late on Friday night. A GRP constable Arun Bhadra (40) was shot dead by the miscreants,while another constable,Sandip Singh,sustained a bullet injury in his leg.

Till now,the state government had maintained that the Maoists are active in three districts of Bengal West Midnapore,Purulia and Bankura.

Eight persons have been arrested in connection with the train attack. Director General of Police Bhupindar Singh said: We have sent a team of CID officials and other senior police officials. We are looking into the matter.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee,meanwhile,today announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh and a job in the Railways as compensation to the next of kin of Arun Bhadra,said a senior railway official.

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