Indian Maoists take train passengers hostage

Maoist rebels in India briefly took hostage more than 300 train passengers Wednesday, police said, as the insurgents stepped up attacks during general elections.

At least 200 armed rebels swooped on the train at a station in the insurgency-hit eastern state of Jharkhand, and held the passengers for about four hours.

The Maoists have launched a series of assaults in an apparent attempt to disrupt India's April 16-May 13 polls.

The capture of the train appeared aimed at enforcing a general strike they had called in the area.

"The train has been released by the Maoists. All the passengers are safe," senior police officer Sarvendu Thatagat told AFP. "The rebels had seized the train, demanding why the service was operating when the strike was on."

AFP