Siwan/ Patna: Railway security protocols are under renewed scrutiny following a stone-pelting incident aboard the Raptisagar Express in Bihar, which left a passenger injured late on Sunday night.
The incident occurred in the early hours of May 19 on train number 12522, which was en route from Ernakulam to Barauni. Vishal Kumar, 28, a resident of Muzaffarpur, was seated by a window in general coach S-3 when a stone broke through the glass and struck him on the head while the train was passing through the Siwan–Chhapra section.
The attack caused panic among passengers, many of whom ducked under seats or quickly shut window shutters. The train was halted at Chhapra Junction at 12.40am, where a railway medical team and police were on standby. Kumar received first aid on the platform before being taken to the Civil Hospital, where he required five stitches for a deep wound. His condition has since been reported as stable.
This marks the second stone-pelting incident in the area in just over a month. On April 12, a passenger aboard the Sitaram Express sustained a fractured arm in a similar attack near Ekma. The recurrence of such assaults has prompted renewed concern over the effectiveness of railway security, particularly in zones monitored by Railway Protection Force (RPF) escorts.
Senior RPF Commandant Ashish Kumar said the attack is believed to have occurred between Badherwa and Dumri. “Miscreants from nearby settlements are suspected,” he said. “We’ve increased mobile patrolling and plan to conduct drone surveillance of the area.”
Offenders, if identified, will be booked under Section 153 of the Railway Act, which carries a punishment of up to five years in prison. Authorities have also appealed to passengers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity via the 182 helpline. The public has been encouraged to share photographs or videos if they witness such behaviour.
Railway officials have assured that strict legal action will be taken and damages recovered from those responsible.
