From Our Special Correspondent
GUWAHATI: At least three passengers of the Kamakhya-Dekargaon Inter-City Express were injured in a blast inside the train at Kathalguri between Tangla and Harisinga stations in Udalguri district of lower Assam around 7pm on Saturday, police said.
The injured have been taken to hospital for treatment and are stable, said a source.
Police and officials of the district administration rushed to Harisinga station, which is the nearest station from Kathalguri.
Police sources said that an inspection was carried out by a team inside the coach, reportedly the fourth from the engine, where the blast took place and that details about the device which triggered the explosion were awaited. However, an NFR official suspects that the blast was caused due to short-circuit.
Panic stricken passengers were asked to disembark as the police team carried out the inspection after taking custody of the train.
A lady passenger informed a television channel that a loud sound was heard as the train approached Harisinga station and that the window panes of the coach were shattered while portions were damaged.
NFR sources further said that the site where the blast occurred is about 50 km from Rangiya and 90 km from Guwahati on the north bank of the Brahmaputra.
“Three passengers of a general second class coach received minor injuries and were treated at Harisinga by railway doctors. Two of them have been discharged already. Train movement has not affected as the train is at station and there are two more lines available,” a statement from NFR public relations officer, J. K Sarma, said.
“Two of the injured have been identified as Nabajit Das and Khiroda Bora,. A helpline number 03621-244279, has been opened,” Sarma said.