In a disturbing incident that underscores the growing concern over the safety of India’s high-speed rail network, the Durg-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express was attacked just two days before its official launch. The incident occurred on Friday night in Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund district, where the train was undergoing a trial run.
According to reports, miscreants hurled stones at the train, damaging the window panes of three coaches. The railway police promptly apprehended five individuals responsible for the vandalism. Identified as Devendra Chandrakar, Shiv Kumar Baghel, Arjun Yadav, Jitu Tandi, and Lekhraj Sonwani, the accused are all residents of Bagbahra.
The incident took place as the train was returning to Durg from Visakhapatnam, passing through the Bagbahra railway station. A four-member Railway Protection Force (RPF) escorting party noticed the stone pelting and immediately alerted authorities. Fortunately, no passengers or personnel sustained injuries in the incident.
The accused have been charged under various sections of the Railways Act of 1989, including Section 153, which pertains to acts endangering the safety of passengers on a train. This section carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.
Interestingly, Baghel’s sister-in-law is a Congress corporator in Bagbahra, adding another layer to the incident.
This incident follows a string of similar events involving Vande Bharat trains, raising serious questions about the security measures in place. While the authorities have taken swift action in arresting the perpetrators, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of these high-speed trains to vandalism and potential harm. The incident highlights the need for enhanced security measures and a concerted effort to ensure the safety and security of passengers and the trains themselves.
