Elathur train fire: Repetition of an incident that happened nine years ago

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: This is not the first time that the coach of Alappuzha-Kannur Executive Express has seen an attack by fire. On October 20, 2014, a fellow passenger set a woman on fire at 4.30 am in the fifth coach of the same train. Fathima (40), a native of Kondotty Kizhisseri, Malappuram, died in that incident. Kerosene was used as fuel that day. The accused Kannan, a native of Kambam, fled after the incident and was caught later with the help of a sketch.

The fire that day took place when the train was halted at Kannur to depart for Alappuzha. There was an argument between Kannan and Fatima on the platform. No one was in the bogie when the fire happened. Fatima rushed out from the train when her clothes caught fire. The fire was put out by bringing fire extinguishers from the guard room. Fatima, who was on remand in a ganja case, was released on bail from the Central Jail only a week before the incident. Fatima's obituary stated that a three-member gang from Kozhikode followed her on her journey. The seat which Fatima was sitting on was burnt. The police arrested the accused Kannan the next day from the Thrissur railway station area. Fatima's picture was found on his mobile phone.