Train passengers ransack Kalmeshwar Railway Station

MST

• Monthly pass-holders ransacked Kalmeshwar railway station

By Dheeraj Fartode

Monthly pass-holders ransacked Kalmeshwar railway station after one of their associate was run-over by a speeding Dakshin Express on Thursday night. The man was part of pass-holders group- who were demanding halt for Dakshin Express at Kalmeshwar station, as their passenger train was stranded for one hour to allow other express trains.

A senior railway officer on request of anonymity said that 51839 Itarsi-Nagpur passenger arrived at Kalmeshvar railway station at 7.10 pm. The train was stationed at loop line to clear the track for express trains. As the train did not move even after one hour, the pass-holder were irked and sought justification from local Railway staffers. Very soon the situation became quite tense as a large group assembled near the chamber of station master.

The passengers forced station master to move their train ahead. When the officer informed them that the track was busy for movement of express trains, the passengers directed him to halt Dakshin Express at the station. Under intense pressure from the assembled gathering which was becoming restless, the Station Master conveyed their feelings and demands to Railway commercial control.

The Commercial control turned down the demand of the stranded passengers and informed that Ganga Kaveri Express would be halted for two minutes for the convenience of these passengers. Meanwhile, many passengers got down from the stranded train and started strolling on the track. However, they were caught unawares when a speeding Dakshin express came from another side and one unfortunate passenger could not move himself away from the track, leading to his tragic death.

The deceased has been as Ambadas Dahiwade (58), a resident of Hudkeshwar. He works with MSEB at Katol-Ridhora. Body of the man was cut into two parts, said Kalmeshvar police.

The tragic incident turned out to be proverbial last straw on Camel’s back and crowd lost its temper and they started sloganeering against Railways. A group of pass-holders ransacked Railway station and gheraoed some railway officials also. Since Kalmeshwar station was almost deserted, there was negligible police presence. Within minutes, the entire premises turned into shambles as crowd went berserk and broke window panes, ransacked furniture and gave a mouthful to Railway staffers, who feared for their life and informed Kalmeshwar police. The staff of Kalmeshwar police station immediately rushed to the spot by 8.20 pm and tried to pacify the angry mob.

An officer of the Kalmeshvar police station said that they have deployed adequate security to protect the station and Railway employees. Teams of Railway Protection Force (RPF) led by Police Inspector B D Ippar, Government Railway Police (GRP) and Quick Response Team have also reached the station. The Itarsi passenger train resumed its journey within 15 minutes after the incident. 

• Lesson for Railway authorities 

Such incidence is not new for Nagpur Division of Central Railway. Several incidents of ransacking of railway stations had occurred in recent past. Last year Khapri and Godhani stations were ransacked by the passengers. Reason for all incidents are continuous stranding of passenger trains to facilitate movement of mail/express trains. Railway experts said that sidelining of passengers trains will increase such incidents in future. Railway control should allow continuous movement of passenger trains as standing of train for hours at same station can turn passengers violent.