Pritam Bhattacharjee

Patna, July 12: Pritam Bhattacharjee, the 25-year-old Assam youth who went missing from a railway station in Bihar on Monday, had told his mother he was being “tormented” by four youths who were travelling with him on the Awadh-Assam Express.

Pritam, who holds a master’s degree in physics and was going to Delhi for a PhD enrolment exam, has been traceless since Monday afternoon when he gave chase to the four youths who had snatched his bag when the train had stopped at Naugachia station in Bhagalpur district, about 200km east of Patna.

Pritam’s father, Shanker Bhattacharjee, a retired principal of a women’s college in Silchar, told The Telegraph that his son appeared “frightened” when he informed his mother about the incident on the phone.

According to Bhattacharjee, Pritam told his mother that the four persons, who were travelling in S-10 coach of the Delhi-bound train, started harassing him soon after they crossed Katihar in Bihar.

“They (the four tormentors) turned violent when the train reached Naugachia railway station and snatched his bag containing a camera and other valuables. Pritam fought with two of the youths, who were escaping with the bag, because it contained his original certificates and other documents,” Bhattacharjee said.

He said Pritam complained to a GRP official at Naugachia station about the incident but the official preferred to “keep mum”. He said Pritam’s mobile phone was switched off thereafter.

“What happened with him later is not known to me. I am a retired person and not in a condition to move. Please help us in tracing my son at the earliest,” Bhattacharjee said.

Pritam’s uncle Ram Mohan Bhattacharjee called on additional director-general of police (headquarters) Ravinder Kumar in Patna today.

Ram Mohan Bhattacharjee, who flew to Patna from Guwahati via Calcutta, visited Naugachia earlier in the day and submitted a written complaint to the government railway police (GRP) in connection with the incident.

“The ADG (headquarters) promised to provide all help to the family. He also asked the inspector-general, railways, to look into the matter,” he said.

IG (rail) Vinay Kumar said he had taken details about the incident from Ram Mohan Bhattacharjee. “Senior police officials are in constant touch with us,” he said.

Station house officer of Naugachia GRP, Manish Kumar, said they were yet to get any clue. “We have already provided detailed information to the nearby police stations. A photograph of the boy has also been provided to them. We have sought the cooperation of the district police personnel,” he said.