Express train set on fire by locals at Delang, Puri, Odisha

Puri-Barabil-Chakradharpur express train was set on fire by irate locals at Delang Station in Odisha’s Puri district yesterday.

Ratikant Chhatoi, 24, a resident of the nearby Gualipada village, had been killed while trying to get down from the same train at Delang station on Thursday evening.

Though Delang is not a scheduled stop for the train, passengers often resort to pull chain to get down at the station. Chattoi died as he tried to jump out of the moving train and was crushed under its wheels.

Local people were furious over the death of the youth. They started demonstration demanding compensation and stoppage of train at Delang station from early morning. The situation went out of control in the forenoon.

“When emotionally-charged agitators did not get any quick assurance from Indian Railway, they torched the second coach of Express train. No human casualty or injury has been reported,” said Director General of Police Sanjeev Marik.

Around two platoons of police were deployed in the area to keep a watch on the situation.