A Delhi carpenter emerges as the prime suspect in Kerala train arson

According to eyewitnesses, the suspect carrying two plastic bottles threw a flammable liquid, possibly petrol, on passengers in the train’s D-1 coach and ignited it.

A 30-year-old native of Noida in Delhi NCR (National Capital Region) has emerged as the prime suspect in the alleged arson attack in one of the coaches of the Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express near Kozhikode late on Sunday.

According to eyewitnesses, the suspect carrying two plastic bottles threw a flammable liquid, possibly petrol, on passengers in the train’s D-1 coach and ignited it. Three persons died while jumping off the moving train to escape from the fire. Nine sustained severe burns. Shocked passengers pulled the alarm chain, and the train stopped on the bridge over the Korapuzha river.

Police have not revealed if they have custody of the suspect yet.

Also read | Elathur residents in shock after train arson incident raise questions on safety and on motive of attack

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Kerala’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) have stepped in to collect probe details from the local police. Senior police officers said the actions of the suspect in the case appeared premeditated. However, the motive for the attack, which took place around 9.15 p.m. when the train neared Elathoor on the outskirts of Kozhikode, is still unclear. 

Police identified the deceased as Rahmath Manikoth, 45, her two-year-old niece Sahara Bathul, and K.P. Noufeeq, a co-passenger. The bodies were found early on Monday.

Police said the suspect did odd jobs in north Kerala and lived off his carpentry skills. While weighing the security implications of the incident, top officials said it was too early to term it “terrorist attack”. Investigators said the suspect seemed to lead a “purposeful and job-oriented life”.