There is no wonder that the incident that happened on Sunday night in the coach of the Alappuzha - Kannur Executive Express at Elathur near Kozhikode has created a lot of shock and panic. It is causing great fright and concern because a brutal incident of this nature is uncommon in the state. The man who entered the D-1 coach of the train pretending to be a passenger splashed a bottle of petrol on the passengers and set it on fire. Only eight people got burnt since there were not many passengers in the coach. What makes the Elathur incident even sadder though, is the tragic death of three people, including a child, who jumped out of the running train in what is assumed to be an escape attempt, after witnessing the shocking incident. A 45-year-old woman named Rahmat, her two-and-a-half-year-old niece, and a middle-aged man named Naufiq died tragically after falling headfirst on the nearby rail.

A massive search has been launched to find the assailant, who escaped from the train during the commotion. The DGP told the media that they found some clues about the accused. Preparations for an extensive investigation have begun as only more evidence will help in getting closer to the accused. There are also plans to involve central agencies in the investigation apart from Kerala Police. Depending on the nature of the brutality, it is not unreasonable to assume that more people may have been involved. From the fact that the assailant entered without any provocation and started the fire by dousing petrol, it is clear that the intention behind this action was not to kill anyone specific. Circumstantial evidence strengthens the suspicion that the satanic intention behind the incident was to burn all the passengers in the bogie to death. Only one of the eight burn victims is in critical condition. It was only by luck that things did not escalate to a more dire level.

Kerala is one of the rare states in the country where a peaceful train journey is possible day and night. Organized violence in trains is not common here as security agencies keep their eyes and ears wide open. The incident in Elathur raises doubts about whether the established understandings need to be corrected though. Only through thorough investigation can it be discovered whether this is a sign of the dark hands of hidden destructive forces making their move here. If central agencies are required then the necessary arrangements should be made without wasting a moment and actions should be taken without any hesitation

The Elathur incident highlights the need for heavier surveillance and checks on trains at night. There have been talks of installing CCTV in every coach in trains. Even though it is a costly step, all possible safety measures should be taken keeping in mind the lives of the passengers. There is no point in being disappointed when the unexpected happens, it's about taking precautions to avoid being disappointed. Similarly, extensive surveillance systems should be installed in railway stations. It goes without saying that indifference invites disaster. Action should also be taken to provide compensation to the unfortunate people who lost their lives when they jumped out of the train to escape from the raging fire. The one who is the cause of Elathur violence should be found and given exemplary punishment