Maha: Protesters try to set empty railway bogie on fire

A group of protesters allegedly tried to set on fire an empty railway bogie at the Kolhapur railway station here, railway police said today.

Kolhapur (Maha), Dec 8: A group of protesters allegedly tried to set on fire an empty railway bogie at the Kolhapur railway station here, railway police said today.

The 'Maharashtra Express' was on the pit-line for cleaning yesterday. At around 7 PM, around 10-15 persons were shouting slogans and throwing handbills protesting the delay over a decision on reservation for the Maratha community, a police official said.

The accused allegedly hurled kerosene inside the bogie. They initially set the grass near the bogie on fire. Other passengers at the railway station were alerted after seeing the blaze and informed the authorities concerned, he said.

The railway officials and police rushed towards the bogie and immediately doused the flames. However, the accused fled from the spot.

Following a complaint by the station master Meena Sugriv, a case has been registered in this regard and a probe was underway, said police.

Meanwhile, Railway Police DSP Tushar Joshi and other railway officials will visit the spot today, another official said.

PTI