By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur: The railways have taken strong note of recent incidents of stone pelting on Howarah-Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat train. Taking the matter seriously, efforts have been initiated at level of Eastern Railway to identify people involved in stone pelting from video footage of the incidents, retrieved from CCTV camera fitted in rake of the train.
An in-depth enquiry has been undertaken jointly by Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) in connection with the incidents. As per information since inauguration of Vande Bharat train, two incidents of stone pelting was reported en-route of the train in first week of current month.
The incidents were reported from places near Kumarganj station and ahead of Jalpaiguri station located under area of North East Frontier Railway. No passenger was injured in stone pelting. However window pane of a coach developed crack in stone pelting.
The railway authorities not in mood to spare people involved in stone pelting on Vande Bharat train looks forward to ensure stern legal and penal action against the miscreants. The eastern railway authorities are in touch with state police authorities for the purpose.
Some stone pelters have been already identified from video footage. The state police authorities have been approached by railway authorities for arrest and initiation of legal proceedings against identified culprits.
In a press note issued by Ekalabya Chakraborty, Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO), Eastern Railway it has been stated stone pelting on trains which amounts to physical assault of passengers and destruction of national property is strongly condemned by railways.
Informing RPF has started a sensitization drive to stop such incidents the CPRO has added in press note that sensitization drive aims at maintaining strict vigil at all railway stations besides pre detection of any intention concerning damage of railway property.
