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India's Maoists Torch Train Station on 2nd Day of Strike

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Maoist rebels in eastern India have set fire to a railway station in a second day of protests against the government's economic policies.

Authorities say more than 40 rebels raided the Baramdih station in West Bengal state before dawn. The blaze damaged the station's signal network, disrupting train service from Kolkata to northern India.

Later, authorities discovered several unexploded bombs on the tracks about one kilometer from the station.

The Maoists began their strike Tuesday, paralyzing public transportation in the east. The rebels also attacked railroad tracks, freight trains and trucks.

The rebels are protesting government plans to promote industrial development on farmland in order to attract foreign investors.

Maoists say they are fighting for the rights of poor and landless farmers.

Thousands of people have died in the insurgency, which began 40 years ago.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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