Unidentified miscreants pelted stones at a coach of the new high-speed train Vande Bharat Express at Kancharapalem in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday (January 11) night. The incident shattered the glasses and mirrors of the Vande Bharat Express train. Police in Visakhapatnam today made a breakthrough in the case and arrested three people for allegedly vandalizing the Vande Bharat Express train, which is to be virtually flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. The accused were in an inebriated state and hence allegedly indulged in the act. A case has been registered against them under the Railway Act.
Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Shrikant said that three people have been arrested in connection with the vandalism of the windows in the Vande Bharat train. The police commissioner said, “They were in an inebriated condition and hence allegedly involved in the act. A case has been registered against them under the Railways Act.” “The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is handling the matter,” he said.
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The stone-pelting incident took place near Coach Complex in Kancharlapalem. The glass of one window was completely shattered while another was cracked. Police has registered the case and started investigation.
A rake of Vande Bharat train reached Visakhapatnam on Wednesday from Chennai for maintenance check and trial run. After the incident, the Railway Police has increased the security. The Vande Bharat Express was originally scheduled to be flagged off by the Prime Minister in Hyderabad on January 19. However, his visit was postponed.
Later it was decided that the Prime Minister would virtually flag off the Vande Bharat Express on January 15. Union Minister for Tourism and Culture G. Kishan Reddy said that it would be a Sankranti gift for the Telugu people.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, Kishan Reddy and senior railway officials will be present at Secunderabad station for the virtual launch. The train which reached Visakhapatnam on Wednesday evening will reach Secunderabad station in a day or two.
(With inputs from IANS)