Naxals torch bus in C'garh after asking passengers to alight

A dozen Maoists, some of them armed stopped a bus and set it ablaze after allowing the passengers to get off. According to police officials, no one was harmed, during the incident.

Raipur: Naxals torched a bus in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, after asking the passengers to deboard the bus. The incident occurred on late Friday evening between Kutru and Farsegarh village when the private passenger bus was on its way to Bedre from Bijapur town.

Around a dozen Maoists, some of them armed stopped the bus belonging to Jai Bhawani Travels, and set it ablaze after allowing passengers to get off.

According to a police official, no one was harmed, during the incident. However, the bus was completely damaged.

Security forces have rushed to the spot and operations to apprehend the Naxals involved in the incident were underway, he said.

As Maoists are observing 'Jan Pituri week' from June 5, vigil in Bastar region has been stepped up, the official added.

Bastar division comprises seven districts, namely Dantewada, Bijapur, Bastar, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Sukma and Kanker.

The outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) observes 'Jan Pituri' week every year in memory of their slain leaders. During this period, which generally coincides with the arrival of monsoon, Maoists, focus on recruitment of fresh e by spreading their propaganda.