Anand Vihar-New Jalpaiguri Express Attacked; Panic Among Passengers as AC Coach Window Smashed
Serious concerns regarding railway safety have been raised once again in Bihar. Miscreants pelted stones at the Anand Vihar-New Jalpaiguri Express (Train No. 15726 UP) on Friday morning while it was en route from Delhi's Anand Vihar Terminal to New Jalpaiguri. The incident occurred between Hajipur and Sarai railway stations, significantly damaging the window of an AC coach. Fortunately, no passengers sustained major injuries during the attack.
Details of the Incident & Damage Caused
| Affected Area | Description of the Incident | Status of Passengers |
|---|---|---|
| AC Coach (B-1) | Window Damaged: A large stone hurled by the miscreants directly struck the window near Berth No. 48, shattering the outer glass pane with a loud impact. | Atmosphere of Panic: The sudden stone-pelting and the sound of breaking glass caused immediate panic and fear inside the coach, especially among women and children. |
Eye-Witness Account of the Victim
"Suddenly there was a loud crash": Passenger Ashok Kumar, who was returning from Delhi to Darbhanga (via Samastipur) along with his family, recounted the horrifying experience. He stated that as the train was passing near Sarai station, stones were suddenly showered from outside. A large rock hit their window, triggering temporary chaos inside the coach as passengers struggled to comprehend what was happening.
Action and Investigation by Railway Protection Force (RPF)
Investigation at Muzaffarpur: Immediately following the attack, the onboard train escort team alerted the railway control room. As soon as the train rolled into Muzaffarpur Junction, senior officials from the RPF and Government Railway Police (GRP) boarded the coach to record statements from Ashok Kumar and other co-passengers.
FIR Registered: Since the incident took place within the jurisdiction of the Hajipur-Sarai section, an official First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against unidentified miscreants at the Hajipur RPF post.
Strict Warning and Preventive Initiatives by Railways
'Rail Mitra' Initiative: To curb such frequent incidents, the railway administration has intensified track patrolling. Additionally, they are launching the 'Rail Mitra' campaign to involve local residents in identifying anti-social elements living along the tracks.
Railway authorities have issued a stern warning stating that identified culprits will face severe prosecution under the Railways Act, which includes heavy financial penalties and imprisonment. Passengers have also been requested to immediately report any suspicious activities near the tracks via the integrated security helpline.
