Security agencies launched an investigation after CCTV cameras installed at Howrah station in Kolkata in West Bengal state showed a man throwing an object near the taxi route, which caught fire on Tuesday afternoon.
Following the incident, another fire was reported on board the Howrah-Raxaul Mithila Express, which was stationed at Howrah. The fire was spotted near the toilet of one of the cabins and security personnel extinguished it after passengers alerted them.
“A fire was reported in the toilet of the Mithila Express train before it left Howrah station on May 19. When security agencies began investigating the incident and examined CCTV footage, they spotted a man throwing a package-like object near the taxi route at Howrah station at around 2:38 pm, resulting in a small fire. An investigation has been launched and efforts are being made to identify the man,” an official said.
Howrah station is the oldest and busiest railway station in the country. The station complex, with its 24 platforms, registers more than one million passengers daily.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw held a high-level meeting to review security at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday.
“It was noted during the meeting that in the last few days, the involvement of anti-social elements has come to light during the preliminary investigation into multiple incidents, including some recent fire incidents. The Indian Railways has taken these incidents very seriously and the RPF is actively investigating them,” the Indian Railways said in a statement.
“In many cases, quick and proactive actions taken by the Railways have helped avert major eventualities. It was also felt that besides strengthening intelligence systems and using technology to process inputs faster, the Railways will also encourage passengers to actively support efforts to contain anti-social activities during their journey and while waiting in the station premises. Hence, the Railways urged passengers to remain alert and vigilant while travelling. Any suspicious activity or suspicious person observed in the railway premises should be immediately reported on Helpline No. 139 for railways.
