The man who set a co-passenger on fire in a train in Kerala has been identified as a native of Noida. The NIA visited Kozhikode to inquire about the incident, but has not taken over the case. The accused, Shahrookh Saifi, poured an inflammable liquid on a co-passenger on the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express, injuring eight others. Later, three people, including a one-year-old child and a woman, were found dead on the tracks near the Elathur railway station.
The whole incident in brief.
• Incident occurred on Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express train at 9.45 pm
• Occurred at Korapuzha railway bridge after crossing Kozhikode city
• Unidentified man poured inflammable liquid on co-passenger
• Set co-passenger on fire
• Resulted in burn injuries to at least eight people
• Police investigating the incident
A suspicious bag believed to belong to the accused was found, leading to speculation of a terror angle, but the police have stated that it does not seem to be an act of terror. The Kerala DGP stated that it is part of the ongoing investigation. The police have released a sketch of the absconding accused.
“Kerala CM Orders SIT Probe into Train Fire Tragedy”
On Monday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that an SIT will be established to investigate the train fire that occurred the previous night in Kozhikode district, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including an infant. In a statement, CM Vijayan instructed the police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.