Passengers ransack Howarh station

After a Howrah-bound Bandel local arrived 15 minutes late as all platforms were occupied by trains, a section of passengers turned violent and ransacked the VIP lounge and the station master's room, an Eastern Railway spokesman said.

The mob then attacked an RPF official and beat him up following which the RPF used batons to disperse them.

A ticket counter and two metal detectors were also reported to have been vandalised.

Railway officials said that prima facie the attack was pre-meditated and a handiwork of vested interests, adding they have not encountered such behaviour from passengers earlier.