Maoists blamed for 'tinkering done to the tracks,' blast as at least 65 die
By Bappa Majumdar
updated 7 minutes ago
NEW DELHI - Maoist rebels were suspected of sabotaging a high-speed train in eastern India on Friday, killing at least 65 people after it smashed into the path of a goods train, officials said.
Local television showed the mangled wreckage of capsized carriages across the tracks and the death toll was expected to rise as many passengers were still trapped. At least 200 people were injured.
"So far we have recovered 40 bodies but the toll will rise further," N.S. Nigam, a senior local government official, told Reuters. Media reports quoting government officials said at least 65 people were killed.
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said a bomb had hit the train, but police said they were also looking at other sabotage methods such as the removal of the tracks' "fish plates".
"From whatever I have been told the apprehension is the Maoists were involved," Banerjee said.
The crash occurred in West Bengal state in an area known to be a stronghold of Maoist rebels. Maoists, who say they are fighting for the rights of the poor and landless, have attacked trains in the past and have stepped up attacks in recent months.
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