Maoists set fire to two mobile towers, bus in Bihar

Maoists set ablaze two mobile phone towers and a bus in Bihar's Banka district in two separate incidents, police Friday said.

District police official Arun Kumar Singh said that over a dozen armed Maoists set ablaze two mobile towers late Thursday night at Gora and Bhittiya villages under Phullidumar police station.

"Maoists poured kerosene and also exploded country-made bomb to set ablaze two mobile towers of private companies," Singh said.

In the other incident, armed Maoists set fire to a bus at Bhalua village under Sambhuganj police station in the district.

Singh along with security forces visited the incident sites and assured security to the fear-stricken villagers.

"We will intensify combing operations against Maoists," Singh said.

According to police officials, Maoists called for a day-long strike in the district to protest the killing of two of their members last week.

Police officials said the Maoist strike evoked mixed response in the district. They forced some rural markets to remain closed and threatened others not to ply vehicles.

Banka district is considered a stronghold of Maoists.