Maoists torch truck in West Bengal

Kolkata, Dec 5 : Suspected Maoists torched a truck on a national highway in West Bengal's West Midnapore district Saturday, disrupting traffic for many hours, police said.

The incident took place near Lodhashuli forest in West Midnapore district on the last day of five-day strike called by the Maoist-backed People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCAPA).

"A truck loaded with bidis was coming on National Highway-6 late this (Saturday) afternoon when it was stopped by a group of unidentified miscreants. Later, they set the truck on fire and disappeared into the nearby forest," a district police officer said.

"After primary investigation, we think the act was carried out by Maoist rebels," he added.