Armed men loot, assault train passengers in Bihar

PATNA - Dozens of armed robbers looted and assaulted passengers of a Kolkata-Delhi train while it was passing through Bihar’s Lakhisarai district early Friday. They also opened fire, seriously injuring a constable of the Government Railway Police, officials said.

About three-dozen men looted cash and valuables from passengers of three air-conditioned bogies of the Howrah-Delhi Lal Quila Express between Bansipur and Bhulai railway stations, about 150 km from here.

According to police, robbers also opened fire and beat up passengers.

“A constable of the Government Railway Police received a bullet injury in his abdomen and has been admitted to a hospital in critical condition,” an official said.

More than a dozen passengers were injured when they resisted the robbers.

“Some passengers were beaten with rifle butts by the robbers,” the official said.

Angry passengers later staged a protest at the Kiul railway station, shouting slogans against inadequate security.

Over a dozen train robberies have been reported across the state in the last six months.