New Delhi, 21 May (H.S.):

CCTV footage that surfaced two days after the fire incident aboard the Mithila Express has intensified suspicions of a possible conspiracy behind the episode. The footage reportedly shows a suspicious individual throwing an object in the Cab Road area of Howrah Station, immediately after which flames and smoke were seen rising from the spot.

The approximately 1-minute-59-second footage also shows police personnel and other individuals rushing to the location and attempting to extinguish the fire. The incident occurred at around 2:30 p.m. on May 19. At the time, the station was heavily crowded with passengers, leading to panic and temporary chaos in the area.

Security agencies and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) have launched a large-scale investigation, treating the incident as a possible conspiracy aimed at disrupting railway operations. Officials believe the act may have been intended to create panic among passengers and trigger a stampede-like situation.

According to officials, the suspicious activity occurred shortly before a fire broke out in one of the coaches of the Mithila Express. The train was stationed at Platform No. 8 of Howrah Station when flames were noticed near the toilet area of an LS second-class unreserved coach. However, railway personnel managed to quickly bring the fire under control using fire extinguishers, thereby averting a major mishap.

Railway sources said that investigating agencies are now focused on identifying the suspect seen in the CCTV footage and tracing any possible network linked to him. Meanwhile, security arrangements have been tightened at Howrah Station as well as at major railway terminals across the country, and a high alert has been issued.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar