MEERUT: Stones were allegedly thrown on the Varanasi-bound Vande Bharat Express damaging the multi-layered window glass near Khurja junction in Bulandshahr district on Sunday morning. Nagina MP Chandra Shekhar Azad, who was on the train, first reported the incident, reports Rahul Singh.
Railway Protection Force (RPF) officials said that an FIR had been registered under sections 153 and 147 of Railways Act against “unknown persons”.
RPF Khurja junction in-charge, Nandlal Meena, told TOI: “The windowpane of berth 53-54 was damaged in the C3 coach after a stone struck the laminated glass panel of Vande Bharat Express between Kamlapur and Danwar railway stations around 7am. Prima facie, it appears that some children might be behind the incident. It’s a fast-moving train and even a small stone can damage the glass. We’ve formed a task force to investigate the matter.”
Nagina MP Azad, who was seated right behind berth 53-54 in the C3 coach, wrote on social media: “I’m appalled by this incident. Stone pelting not only damages govt property but also jeopardises passenger safety. It is condemnable and cannot be tolerated at any cost. Such incidents cause Railways to incur losses worth several crore. It is imperative to understand Railways is a valuable asset of the country and safeguarding it is the responsibility of all citizens…”