Kharagapur, December 25,
An armed robbery, according to a local source, took place between Kharagapur and Jakpur stations of the South-Eastern Railway yesterday. As soon as the train left Kharagapur and gained speed, a band of robbers consisting of five armed men brought out their revolvers and daggers. They threatened the passengers in a second class compartment of the running train at about 10 p.m. They ordered the passengers at
the point of dagger and revolver not to raise an alarm or pull the alarm chain but quickly surrender their valuables and cash. The passengers were simply bewildered. The raiders snatched a purse containing Rs. 50,000 from a businessman. They also took the wrist watches from other passengers and ornaments from women amounting to Rupees fifty thousand or more. All the passengers were under panic and the whole incident took place within a few minutes. The raiders jumped from the train as soon as it slowed down its speed approaching Jakpur station and escaped within a twinkle of an eye. The passengers pulled the alarm chain. The train stopped at Jakpur station. But the raiders could not be traced.