Rajshahi train fuel theft inquiry begins following video footage

Railway authorities have launched an inquiry after video footage went viral on Facebook showing fuel being stolen from a train wagon at Harian Railway Station in Rajshahi's Paba upazila on Tuesday.

The 1-minute 12-second recording captured the theft taking place around 10:00 AM from a wagon attached to the rear of the "Dhaka Mail 6 Down" train.

In the clip, the train slows down at Harian station while a group scoops fuel out of the wagon with jugs, transfers it into plastic containers, and hands them down before fleeing the scene with the filled jars.

Footage from the scene enabled locals to identify several suspects living near the station, including railway wayman Kiron Ali, his brother Noyon Ali, Milon, Al-Amin, Nahid, Roxy, and Ripon.

When questioned about his appearance in the clip, Ripon denied any involvement and immediately disconnected the phone. Wayman Kiron Ali claimed he was working near Rajshahi University at the time, alleging his younger brother Noyon was the person seen on camera.

Harian Station Master Arif Hossain noted that the three-minute stop coincided with managing a crossing for the Dhalarchar Express, leaving security monitoring to the Railway Security Force (RNB) and Railway Police.

Western Railway RNB Chief Commandant Ashabul Islam confirmed that while dispatched forces failed to catch the thieves on-site, law enforcement identified the culprits using the video and initiated drives to arrest them.

Western Railway General Manager Farid Ahmed stated that after reviewing the footage, officials suspect the perpetrators acquired the fuel in Rajshahi, stored it, and exited at Harian. He added that a formal investigation committee will be constituted upon verifying details to take required disciplinary and legal actions.

-SA