Three run over by goods train in Palghar; kin claim they were fleeing police

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Three men were killed after being run over by a goods train while walking on railway tracks near Palghar Railway Station in Maharashtra on Friday night, officials from the Government Railway Police said, reported news agency PTI.

However, family members of the deceased have alleged that the trio was running on the tracks to escape from police personnel at the time of the accident.

Three local residents killed in train accident

According to police officials, the incident occurred between 8:30 pm and 9 pm on Friday when a goods train struck the three men on the tracks near the station, reported PTI.

The deceased have been identified as Swapnil Shailesh Palande (23), Kunal Kumar Dubla (23), and Afroz Khalil Sheikh (28), all residents of the Virendra Nagar area in Palghar East, reported PTI.

A police official said the men were walking along the railway tracks when they were hit by the train.

"The three men were walking on the tracks when they were fatally knocked down by the goods train. We do not have any information about them being chased by the police or attempting suicide," said Senior Inspector Sachin Ingavale of the Palghar GRP, reported PTI.

Bodies sent for post-mortem examination

Soon after the incident was reported, personnel from the Government Railway Police reached the spot and began an initial investigation.

The bodies were later shifted to a government hospital for post-mortem examination, officials said.

Police have registered an accidental death case for the time being while further investigation continues.

Families allege youths were chased by police

Relatives of the deceased, however, have claimed that the youths were allegedly being chased by police personnel before the accident occurred.

According to family members, a few police personnel in plain clothes had allegedly assaulted the three men earlier.

They claimed the youths ran towards the nearby railway tracks in an attempt to escape and were subsequently hit by the passing goods train.

Probe underway to determine circumstances

A senior police official said authorities are investigating the incident to establish the exact circumstances that led to the deaths.

"The GRP has registered a case of accidental death for the time being, and a probe is underway to ascertain the circumstances of the accident," the official said, reported PTI.

Meanwhile, local authorities have deployed additional police personnel in the area to maintain law and order, as the incident has triggered tension among residents in Palghar.

(With inputs from PTI)