According to a report in ANI, an incident of stone pelting was reported on Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express on January 20, 2023. According to ANI, RPF, Katihar Division confirmed that the passenger was informed by the escort party of 22302 down Vande Bharat Express. While crossing the Dalkhola-Telta railway station sitting on berth number 70 in coach 6 of the train, RPF was informed about the stone pelting. This place comes under Balrampur in Katihar district of Bihar. The window glass of a compartment of the high-speed train was damaged, police said on Saturday.
Damage to right side glass window of one coach of 22302 Down Vande Bharat Express was reported. The incident is being told between Dalkhola and Telta railway stations at around 4.15 pm on Friday evening. The right side window glass of coach no C-6 was damaged. The matter was reported to the Railway Police, Dalkhola, which has sent an investigation team to investigate on the spot.
The train started its journey from New Jalpaiguri at 3.05 pm to final destination Howrah at 10.35 pm. Earlier on January 12, three people were arrested in connection with the incident of alleged stone pelting at the new Vande Bharat Express train in Visakhapatnam, police said. On January 2, a train connecting Howrah to New Jalpaiguri was also pelted with stones, just four days after its launch.
Window panes of Vande Bharat Express were broken after stones were pelted at the train connecting Howrah to New Jalpaiguri near Malda. On January 3, two window panes of the Vande Bharat Express train were damaged after stones were allegedly pelted at two coaches near Phansidewa area of Darjeeling.
Over 50 incidents of stone-pelting were recorded under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) in 2022 and an “intense” awareness campaign has been launched in the wake of several reports of stone-pelting on the new Vande Bharat Express, an official said.
In 2022, there were 56 incidents of stone-pelting under it, while three such incidents have been reported till January 17, an NFR statement said. So far three people have been arrested in connection with such incidents this year.
The NFR official, on the condition of anonymity, said, “Stone pelting on trains happens regularly. We conduct awareness programs among people not to indulge in such activities, as these are criminal offenses under the Railway Act ”
“We have launched an intensive campaign to create awareness about this issue, especially after several incidents of stone pelting on the Vande Bharat Express in the recent past,” he said.
The NFR statement said, “pelting stones or similar objects on trains is a criminal offense under sections 152, 153 and 154 prescribed in the Railways Act. The offender shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years.” “
Railway Protection Force (RPF) conducts surprise checks at sensitive places and takes legal action against offenders to curb this menace.
with inputs from agencies