BHOPAL: Local passengers attempting to board the Dr Ambedkar Nagar-Prayagraj Express train to Prayagraj became agitated when the doors of the overcrowded train were not opened, leading them to throw stones at Harpalpur and Chhattarpur railway stations.
The incident occurred between 1 am and 1.30am. The train, heading to Prayagraj with a large crowd on the platform eager to attend the Mahakumbh, was already overcrowded.
Poll
Is Overcrowding On Trains A Serious Issue In India?
Passengers inside the train did not open the doors due to the lack of space, which agitated the local passengers and led to stone-throwing and vandalism.
“There were 7,000-8,000 people on the platform. The train that arrived was already crowded. Some passengers started throwing stones. We rushed to the spot and controlled the situation. The mob was dispersed. It took around an hour to manage the situation, after which the train safely departed,” Harpalpur police station incharge Pushpak Sharma told TOI.
Vandalism was also reported at Chhattarpur railway station. However, the police managed the situation.
“There was a large crowd at Chhattarpur railway station, but passengers on board did not open the gates as the train was already overcrowded. When we arrived, only one person was seen throwing stones, and he escaped. The train was delayed by nearly half an hour,” Civil Lines police station incharge Valmiki Dubey told TOI.