Railway journey in the state is no more safe now. Recent incidents are a pointer to the same. Famous dancer, Savita Saikia and her associates who were coming to participate in a cultural programme in the city, were looted near Satna after stopping of the train. The dancer was travelling in Dadar-Guwahati express. Other passengers in the same bogey were also looted. Saikia had cash and jewellery worth Rs 1.5 lakh. Next day on Tuesday, a dacoit gang looted the passengers in AC-III bogie of Ratnagiri express between Manikpur and Naini.
The dacoits also opened fire at the driver of Ratnagiri express during the incident. He was admitted to Manikpur railway hospital. On the intervening night of Sunday and Monday the angry passengers pelted stones on Bhopal express and tried to set ablaze a bogie. They also misbehaved with the female passengers. Around one dozen youths pelted stones stopping Chhatisgarh express near Misrod railway station. 4-5 passengers received injuries in this incident. Some of the youths were arrested and later handed over to RPF. Such incidents in trains have become common now. The passengers do not feel themselves secure even in the trains. These incidents in the state are great concern. Passengers are thrown out, looted, beaten up. No one knows what would happen with him at the next station. Though, such incidents are not occurring in the state only but other parts of the country are also witnessing such incidents. Railway administration, considering the seriousness of the situation, should increase force for proper security. The responsibility of safe journey ultimately lies with it.
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