GUWAHATI, Dec 17 (IANS) - A passenger train headed to Arunachal Pradesh derailed in Assam Friday, leaving at least 100 people injured, officials said.
A railway spokesperson said the Murkokseleng Express bound from Rangiya in Assam to Murkokseleng in adjoining Arunachal Pradesh derailed near Gohpur, 260 km north of the state�s main city of Guwahati.
�Preliminary reports indicate the engine of the train and three other coaches derailed near Gohpur although investigations are on to ascertain the reasons behind the accident,� railway spokesperson S Hajong told IANS.
There were about 300 passengers in the daily local train with preliminary reports estimating the number of people injured to be around 100.
�Four of the critically injured people were shifted to Guwahati for advanced treatment, while many were released from hospitals after administering first aid,� Hajong said.
Most of those injured suffered cuts and bruises, while some sustained hand injuries as well.
The area where the accident took place is a stronghold of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB), a rebel group fighting for an independent homeland for the Bodo tribe.
�Investigations are on and we are examining all details. We have to ascertain if the derailment was an accident or sabotage,� a senior police official said.
NDFB is known to attack trains - either by planting bombs or removing fishplates on the tracks.