Katihar: A shocking case of alleged food adulteration at Katihar Railway Junction has sparked concern among passengers after a viral video exposed women hawkers reportedly selling chemically treated cucumbers on the railway platform.
The video, which spread rapidly on social media, showed a woman dipping rotten and yellowish cucumbers into a green-coloured chemical solution to make them appear fresh and attractive before selling them to passengers at the station.
Within seconds of being dipped in the solution, the spoiled cucumbers reportedly turned dark green and were then sold as fresh produce to unsuspecting travellers.
The incident triggered panic among passengers and created a stir in and around Katihar Railway Station.
RPF Launches Action After Viral Video
According to a press release issued by the Northeast Frontier Railway, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) initiated an investigation after receiving complaints and viral video evidence on May 7.
A special team from the RPF East Post, Katihar, was formed to probe the matter. During the investigation, officials confirmed that cucumbers were allegedly being dipped in green food colouring to make them appear fresh before being sold on the station premises.
Following the inquiry, the RPF launched a special raid on May 8 and detained nine women hawkers from the railway station and surrounding railway premises.
Cases have been registered against them under provisions of the Railway Act.
Main Accused Identified
Officials said the woman seen in the viral video was identified as 65-year-old Phoolbati Devi, a resident of Karhagola.
During questioning, the woman allegedly admitted that she, along with another woman, used to dip cucumbers in green colouring to attract customers and increase sales.
The accused has been taken into custody and further legal proceedings are underway, officials said.
Passengers Raise Health Concerns
The incident has raised serious concerns about food safety at railway stations, with many passengers expressing fear and anger over the sale of allegedly adulterated food items in public places.
Travellers claimed that such unsafe practices had been taking place openly at the station, putting the health of thousands of daily passengers at risk.
Health experts warned that consumption of suspicious colours and chemical substances in food can potentially lead to serious liver, kidney and stomach-related illnesses.
Following the incident, passengers have become more cautious about purchasing food items from unauthorised vendors at railway stations.
