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| Maoist rebels seize Indian train | Maoist rebels seize Indian train |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Maoist rebels in eastern India have seized a train and taken as many as 500 passengers hostage, police say. | Maoist rebels in eastern India have seized a train and taken as many as 500 passengers hostage, police say. |
| Up to 250 rebels boarded the train as it travelled through Jharkhand state and forced it to stop in the small town of Hegarah. | Up to 250 rebels boarded the train as it travelled through Jharkhand state and forced it to stop in the small town of Hegarah. |
| Local police told journalists that they planned to mount a rescue operation. | Local police told journalists that they planned to mount a rescue operation. |
| The incident comes on the eve of the second round of voting in India's general election. The rebels have asked people to boycott the polls. | The incident comes on the eve of the second round of voting in India's general election. The rebels have asked people to boycott the polls. |
| At least 17 people were killed in attacks blamed on Maoists during the first stage of the election last week. | At least 17 people were killed in attacks blamed on Maoists during the first stage of the election last week. |
| The hostage-takers are reportedly protesting against the death of five villagers who were allegedly shot by paramilitary troops last week. | The hostage-takers are reportedly protesting against the death of five villagers who were allegedly shot by paramilitary troops last week. |
| The troops said the five were local Maoists, who were killed during a clash following an attack in which two soldiers died. | The troops said the five were local Maoists, who were killed during a clash following an attack in which two soldiers died. |
| Rescue operation | Rescue operation |
| The BBC's Salman Ravi in Jharkhand says that the train, travelling between Barkakanta and Mughalsarai, was seized by a group of rebels at Barwadih station in a remote part of Palamau district early on Wednesday. | The BBC's Salman Ravi in Jharkhand says that the train, travelling between Barkakanta and Mughalsarai, was seized by a group of rebels at Barwadih station in a remote part of Palamau district early on Wednesday. |
| The rebels ordered the driver to take the train to nearby Hegarah station, where it was stationary when last reports came in. | The rebels ordered the driver to take the train to nearby Hegarah station, where it was stationary when last reports came in. |
| "We are sending security forces to rescue the passengers," Sarvendu Tathagat, a local government official in Jharkhand, told Reuters news agency. | "We are sending security forces to rescue the passengers," Sarvendu Tathagat, a local government official in Jharkhand, told Reuters news agency. |
| Earlier, the rebels also blew up a railway track near Untari railway station and a school building in Chatra district. | Earlier, the rebels also blew up a railway track near Untari railway station and a school building in Chatra district. |
| The rebels have called for a shut-down in Jharkhand on Wednesday. | The rebels have called for a shut-down in Jharkhand on Wednesday. |
| This is not the first time rebels have seized a train in the area. In March 2006 they seized a train in Latehar, also in Jharkhand, taking more than 40 passengers hostage - but freed them 12 hours later. | |
| Jharkhand is rich in minerals and forest resources, but its people are among the poorest in India. The rebels have a presence in 18 of the state's 22 districts. | Jharkhand is rich in minerals and forest resources, but its people are among the poorest in India. The rebels have a presence in 18 of the state's 22 districts. |
| Maoists operate in 182 districts in India, mainly in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal. | Maoists operate in 182 districts in India, mainly in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal. |
| The rebels say they are fighting for the rights of poor peasants and landless workers. | The rebels say they are fighting for the rights of poor peasants and landless workers. |
| Are you in the Jharkand? Have you been affected by this incident or by the earlier rebel attacks in the area? Send us your comments using the form below. | |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. |
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