Railway Staff Killed In Suspected Maoist Ied Blast Near Odisha-Jharkhand Border
Odisha CM Mohan Majhi announces an Ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the bereaved family: Reports
BHUBANESWAR: A railway employee was killed in a suspected Maoist-triggered IED (improvised explosive device) blast on a railway track near the Odisha-Jharkhand border in Sundargarh district on Sunday, police said.
The victim, identified as Itua Oram, was employed as a ‘key man’ with the Indian Railways. The explosion occurred on the railway line connecting Karampada and Renjda under the Bimlagarh section, within the Saranda Forest range—a region known for Maoist activity.
Police suspect Maoist involvement, citing the recovery of posters from the blast site. The explosion caused minor damage to the tracks, but train services remained unaffected as the route is a loop line and not used by passenger trains, said a spokesperson for the South Eastern Railway.
The incident coincides with the Maoists’ call to observe 'Shaheed Saptah' (Martyrs’ Week) from July 28 to August 3.
“Track repair work will be undertaken after clearance from local police,” the railway spokesperson added.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the bereaved family from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF). The Chief Minister's Office confirmed the decision through a post on X (formerly Twitter).
