Several passengers on the Mahabodhi Express were injured after miscreants hurled stones at the train on September 23. The train, travelling from New Delhi to Gaya, faced a brazen attack as it approached the Yamuna Bridge, just after departing from Prayagraj Junction. The terrifying incident has raised concerns amid increasing reports of sabotage attempts on railway tracks across the country.
The Mahabodhi Express departed from Prayagraj Junction at around 8:45 PM and was nearing the Yamuna Bridge when stones were suddenly pelted at the train. Witnesses reported that approximately 50 to 60 stones were thrown, with several of them entering the S-3 coach through open windows, injuring passengers. Panic erupted in the coach as frightened passengers ran around in a desperate attempt to protect themselves from the projectiles. The loco pilot, alerted by the chaos, promptly halted the train.
According to reports, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel on board tried to confront the attackers, but the miscreants fled the scene before they could be apprehended. The train continued its journey but was later halted at Mirzapur station, where the injured passengers were provided medical assistance, and statements were recorded.
Sujit Kumar, a passenger from Begusarai, was among those injured. He recalled being seated near a window when the attack occurred, resulting in severe injuries to his head and neck. Several other passengers also suffered injuries, some of them serious, adding to the growing alarm about the safety of train travel amid rising threats.
The North Central Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Shashikant Tripathi, expressed the railway administration’s deep concern over the incident. He assured the public that the matter was being treated with utmost seriousness and that strict action would be taken against the culprits.
This stone-pelting incident is the latest in a series of escalating attacks on trains. In recent weeks, there have been attempts to derail trains by placing iron rods on railway tracks. Notably, two separate incidents in Kanpur involved placing cylinders on the tracks, seemingly in an effort to blow up the tracks and set the train on fire.
In light of these threats, the railway authorities have been on high alert. The Mahabodhi Express attack underscores the need for enhanced security measures, particularly in regions that have seen a rise in such incidents.
Upon receiving information about the attack, RPF Sub-Inspector SP Saroj and his team immediately rushed to the scene from Prayagraj Junction, but by the time they arrived, the train had already left the site. However, a search operation was launched in the area, leading to the detention of three suspects believed to be involved in the attack.
Further investigations are underway, and the RPF has assured that all efforts will be made to identify and apprehend those responsible for this dangerous act.
This is not an isolated incident. Stone-pelting attacks on trains have been reported from other regions as well. Recently, during a trial run of the Durg-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express in Chhattisgarh, miscreants hurled stones at the train near Bagbahara railway station in Mahasamund district, damaging the windows of three coaches. Five individuals were arrested in connection with the attack, and a case was registered under Section 153 of the Railway Act, 1989.
Despite the injuries reported by passengers, an official statement from the railways maintained that no one was injured. According to maintenance staff on the Mahabodhi Express, CT Ravikesh Yadav, the train was entering Mirzapur station when a stone was thrown at the guard brake. However, the guard, Mustaq Ahmed, confirmed that no injuries were sustained.
