A Bengaluru-Dharwad Vande Bharat train was targeted by stone-throwers for the second time in a week. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning in the Kadur-Birur section of Chikkamagalaru district in Karnataka. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is currently investigating the matter.
The incident took place at around 8.40 am when the train was passing through the Kadur-Birur section at KM 207/500. Stones aimed at seats No. 43 and 44 in the C5 coach, as well as the toilet in the EC-1 coach, resulted in damage to the outer glass. Luckily, no injuries were reported.
Two minors have been apprehended by the police in connection with the incident. The boys, who reside in Basa Nagar and SS Nagar in Davangere district, have been sent to an observation home in Chitradurga. The RPF has registered a case under Section 153 of the Railway Act.
This incident follows a similar case just days ago on the same train route. Miscreants threw stones at the Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, causing damage to a window pane after the train departed from Davanagere on July 1.
This is not an isolated occurrence. In May, during a train journey between Tirunavaya and Tirur in Kerala, another train was hit by stones, which damaged the windshield of one of its coaches. There have been several other incidents as well, such as the one in February when a Vande Bharat train was targeted in Telangana’s Mahabubabad district, and another in January when miscreants pelted stones at a coach of the train at the railway yard in Visakhapatnam, shattering a glass window. In Bihar’s Katihar district, miscreants attacked a Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express train, damaging the window pane of one of the coaches.
These incidents raise concerns about the safety and security of passengers on train journeys. The continuous targeting of trains with stones not only endangers the lives of passengers but also disrupts the smooth functioning of railway services. The authorities must take immediate and effective measures to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure the safety of passengers and the security of trains.
It is crucial for railway authorities to work closely with local law enforcement agencies to identify and apprehend the culprits responsible for these attacks. Strict action must be taken against those involved to send a clear message that such acts of vandalism will not be tolerated.
Passengers who choose to travel by train deserve a safe and comfortable journey, free from any potential harm or disruption. Railway authorities must prioritize the security of trains and passengers and implement robust measures to prevent any further incidents. It is also essential for the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities that could compromise the safety of train journeys.
In conclusion, the repeated incidents of stone-pelting on the Bengaluru-Dharwad Vande Bharat train indicate the urgent need for enhanced security measures and stricter law enforcement to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers. All stakeholders must work together to address this issue and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
