Chhattisgarh: Five persons have been arrested for allegedly pelting stones at the Durg-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express during its trial run on Friday (September 13) evening. The incident, which occurred around 9 pm, took place as the train was passing through Bagbahra railway station on its return journey from Visakhapatnam to Durg.
According to Praveen Singh Dhakad, Inspector of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Mahasamund, the stone-pelting caused damage to the window panes of three coaches (C2, C4, and C9). Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Dhakad stated that the situation was promptly addressed by a train escorting party of four RPF personnel, led by an Assistant Sub-Inspector.
The Vande Bharat Express is scheduled to commence regular service from Durg on September 16. During its trial run, the train had departed from Durg and passed through Raipur before reaching Mahasamund, continuing its journey at 7:10 am. The stone-pelting incident raised concerns about the safety of the train and its passengers, prompting swift action by law enforcement.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Shiv Kumar Baghel, Devendra Chandrakar, Jitu Tandi, Lekhraj Sonwani, and Arjun Yadav, all residents of Bagbahra. Authorities are investigating the motives behind the attack to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Vande Bharat Express is a prestigious semi-high-speed train in India, known for its advanced features and enhanced passenger comfort. Its inaugural service between Durg and Visakhapatnam is highly anticipated, with safety being a primary concern for the authorities. The RPF has been tasked with ensuring the safety and security of passengers on this route.
The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in safeguarding public transportation and the importance of maintaining vigilance during the operation of critical services.