RANCHI: Passengers aboard the Howrah-Hatia Kriya Yoga Express were allegedly threatened by two men carrying a country-made pistol, leading to their arrest by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), officials said on Friday. The duo was apprehended on Thursday from the general coach of the train and later handed over to the Government Railway Police (GRP) at Ranchi station.
According to an RPF officer, the accused are primarily involved in illegal arms supply. They had traveled to the Mango area of Tata Nagar to collect an illegal arms consignment destined for Ranchi. However, due to a delay, they did not receive the consignment and boarded the general coach of the train. Officials stated that a woman passenger alerted RPF personnel in the adjacent coach after one of the accused brandished a country-made pistol and threatened passengers, while the other used abusive language.
The officer added, "A woman passenger alerted RPF personnel in the next coach that one of the two was brandishing an illegal country-made pistol and threatening them. His accomplice was using abusive language. The RPF team then apprehended both." Police seized a country-made pistol and a cartridge from the accused. The arrested individuals were identified as Akeeb Khan (21) and Rehan Khan (20), residents of Sartaj Colony under Bariyatu police station limits in Ranchi. Officials revealed that four criminal cases were already pending against Akeeb Khan.
The swift action by the RPF ensured the safety of passengers and prevented a potentially dangerous situation. The investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of the illegal arms network involved. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody pending further legal proceedings.
