MALDA: A stranded passenger died at Malda Town station on Monday morning after waiting in the train that was taking him to Guwahati from Trivandrum. Nearly all trains running towards north Bengal and the northeastern states got cancelled or short-terminated on Sunday, stranding passengers at small stations without proper food, water and ventilation for several hours.
The deceased has been identified as Saiful Islam (25), a daily labourer.
Three days ago, Islam with nine others took the Trivandrum-Guwahati Vivek Express. They were returning to Assam's Barpeta, their residence. But the train was delayed after it left Howrah. At Sainthia, it remained stranded for over six hours and reached Malda Town station late on Sunday night. It was supposed to reach its destination on Sunday morning.
On Monday morning, Islam went to the toilet on the platform and fell unconscious. When police and his companions took him to the Railway Hospital the doctors declared him dead. A doctor said he died of heart attack. His body was taken to Malda Medical College and Hospital for post mortem. One of the labourers in the group, Maidul Haque, said Islam was complaining of chest pain and suffocation since Sunday night.