In a startling incident, the Ayodhya-bound Aastha Special train, ferrying passengers from Surat, encountered a harrowing ordeal as it faced a heavy stone-pelting attack near Nandurbar in Maharashtra on Sunday (February 11) night. The incident, which occurred around 10:45 pm, sent shockwaves among the passengers, who fortunately escaped unscathed. The railway police have swiftly launched an investigation into the matter, filing a complaint against unknown perpetrators.
The Aastha Special train, inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Railways and Surat BJP MP Darshana Jardosh, embarked on its journey from Surat with 1,344 passengers on board its 22 coaches. Sources indicate that the train was specifically reserved for members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Ram Pratistha workers from Surat, underscoring the religious significance of its destination.
Eyewitnesses aboard the train recounted the terrifying moments when they felt stones being hurled at the moving train, prompting immediate alerts to Railway Police Force (RPF) officials. Despite the unsettling turn of events, no injuries were reported among the passengers. Upon reaching Nandurbar railway station, RPF teams promptly recorded statements from the shaken passengers, gathering crucial information to aid in their investigation.
T S Banerjee, assistant security commissioner of Surat (RPF), assured passengers and the public that investigations are underway with utmost urgency. RPF officials stationed in Nandurbar have been tasked with conducting inquiries and providing regular updates on the progress of the investigation. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of passengers travelling on special trains, especially those with religious significance.
Despite the unnerving encounter, authorities made the decision to allow the Aastha Special train to proceed with its journey to Ayodhya. The determination to continue the pilgrimage underscores the unwavering resolve of the passengers to fulfil their religious obligations despite facing adversity along the way.
The stone-pelting incident serves as a grim reminder of the challenges faced by railway authorities in ensuring the safety of passengers, particularly on routes with heightened tensions or religious significance. Calls for enhanced security measures and vigilance along vulnerable stretches of railway tracks have been amplified in the wake of this alarming incident.
As the investigation into the stone-pelting attack unfolds, authorities remain committed to apprehending the perpetrators and ensuring that such incidents do not recur in the future. The safety and security of passengers travelling on India’s vast railway network must remain paramount, reaffirming the nation’s collective resolve to safeguard the rights and well-being of all citizens.
In the face of adversity, the spirit of resilience and determination displayed by the passengers of the Aastha Special train serves as a testament to the enduring power of faith and solidarity in overcoming challenges, even in the midst of uncertainty and danger.
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