Patna, Sep 15 - Last month, a group of students got into an altercation with railway personnel and ended up setting fire to some air-conditioned coaches of a train in Bihar. Now, the police are considering making 22 of the 26 accused cough up as much as Rs. 3.5 crore in damages.

The police are likely to impose a collective fine on those accused of torching the Shramjivi Express and vandalizing the Bihta railway station Aug 18 following a row between students and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel.

An official source in the police headquarters said Tuesday that the police would realise the cost of the damage caused to the railway property from the accused in the case.

'A collective fine would be imposed on the accused in the case soon,' the official said.

Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Neelmani said that 22 people were arrested after they were identified through video clippings provided by television channels as being part of the group that torched the train.

So far, 26 people have been identified as being part of the mob.

Deputy Inspector General (Railway) Arvind Pandey said the police are likely to impose a collective fine on the accused under the provisions of the Bihar Collective Fine Imposition Act.

Pandey appealed to the people to come forward as witnesses against the accused in the case.