Miscreants hold railways employees hostage, loot goods train

Latehar, Jan 2 (UNI) Armed misceants held Railway staff hostage and looted a goods train at South Eastern Railway's Demu station in the district early today.

A group of 12 gunmen forcibly halted the goods train--31084 Down--after holding the railway employees hostage and beating up the signalman at about 0300 hours. Then they also assaulted the train driver and his assistant, police said.

The miscreants claimed atop the engine and took away the 'pento-clip,' worth Rs four lakh. They also snatched the valuables from the drivers before decamping.

Protesting the incident, railway drivers blocked the Barkakana-Barwahdih rail route for about two hours demanding proper security for them and punishment for the gang of robbers. However, the agitated staff relented after the Divisional Railway Manager intervened.

The train was on its way to Khalari from Garwah.

Police who are conducting raids, have ruled out the hands of Naxalites in the dacoity.

UNI