Train Robbery Continues in Bihar
Patna: June 18, 2007
Traveling by trains continue to remain akin to playing Russian roulette in Bihar when more than a dozen criminals, in a well-executed plan, robbed the passengers of 2328 Down Dehradun-Howrah Upasana Express on Monday morning though a daring move by an aggrieved passenger resulted in the apprehension of one of the fleeing robbers, the railway police said.
As reported by the victims, at least one criminal posing as a bona fide passenger boarded the S-1 bogey of the train in Haridwar. He kept a tab on all the passengers while other members of his gang got on the train in Danapur and Patna.
As soon as the train left Bakhtiarpur station, the criminals pulled out guns, knives and other weapons and relieved the passengers of their cash and valuables including their cell phones, jewelries, and a laptop computer for a total value of over Rs. 5 lakh.
As ever, those who showed the slightest sign of protest were beaten up by the robbers.
When the train stopped at Barh station because of the red signal, the criminals jumped off the train and fled towards the Taal area.
Interestingly, a passenger who was later identified as one Manoj Kumar, despite being injured in the assault, gave a chase to the criminals and managed to catch one of them. Needless to say, he was given a well-deserved beating by the angry passengers who probably would have killed him had not the railway police intervene in the nick of time.
The police recovered three country-made pistols, a dozen round of fire, three knives, and many stolen items including gold chains, gold bangles, wrist watch, and a mobile phone from the possession of the criminal who was identified as Pintu of Lakhisarai.
Railway Superintendent of Police (SP) Ajitabh Kumar said the police have identified the gang and is conducting raids on the basis of information provided by Pintu.
After a delay of more than two hours, the train was allowed to proceed for its destination.
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