KOZHIKODE: Health Minister Veena George has directed to ensure free treatment to those injured in Elathur train fire. She has given instructions to Director of Health Department and Director of Medical Education Department regarding this.

Forensic examination was conducted on the D1 and D2 coaches where the incident took place. It is indicated that the accused has been identified and he is a migrant labourer in Kozhikode. But Anti-Terrorism Squad IG A Vijayan dismissed the news and said that no one is in custody. An 18-member special team is investigating the case headed by Malappuram Crime Branch SP P Vikraman. The investigation is under the supervision of ADGP MR Ajith Kumar. It is directed to complete investigation and submit the report immediately.

According to the police, the accused is a native of Noida in Uttar Pradesh. It was yesterday on the Alappuzha-Kannur express train that the inhumane incident took place. A small dispute over seating differences resulted in someone putting fire on fellow passengers. Panic erupted inside the running train as more passengers were subjected to heat. The chain was pulled by someone making the train screech to a halt. Meanwhile, fearing a fire inside the bogie, three people including a mother and a small kid jumped out. Their bodies were found late into the night on railway tracks.

Matanoor natives, Noufik. Rahmat and Sahra were the ones killed. The search for the assailant is going strong and from initial findings, and sketch, the culprit is suspected to be a migrant laborer hailing from Uttar Pradesh.