ATTACK ON SEEMANCHAL EXPRESS NEAR ARA

ATTACK ON SEEMANCHAL EXPRESS NEAR ARA

27-DEC-ENG 20

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------A sensational incident has emerged in Bihar's Bhojpur district, challenging railway security. The daring act carried out by criminals near Ara on the Howrah Main Railway Line has raised serious questions not only about the railway administration but also about the law and order situation. Targeting the Seemanchal Express, the miscreants first chain-pulled and then resorted to stone pelting and indiscriminate firing, spreading terror throughout the area.

This incident is reported to have occurred between Chaliswan Bridge and Jamira Halt in Ara. According to reports, the incident occurred between 1:15 and 2:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday night, when the Seemanchal Express was already running behind schedule. As the train approached Jamira Halt, the criminals who were lying in wait suddenly pulled the chain, forcing the train to stop mid-track.

As soon as the train stopped, the escort party, sensing the situation, began surveying the surroundings with flashlights. Meanwhile, the miscreants hiding near the tracks suddenly began pelting stones. The stone-pelting was so intense that the glass of one of the train's general coaches shattered. The criminals then opened fire, and at least three to four rounds of gunfire are reported. The sound of gunfire shook the entire area, causing panic among the passengers.

The Seemanchal Express remained stationary at the scene for approximately 25 minutes, during which time an atmosphere of fear and terror prevailed among the hundreds of passengers on board. People were forced to huddle in their seats. Fortunately, no passengers were reported injured in the incident, averting a major tragedy. However, this incident has raised serious concerns about passenger safety.

As soon as the incident was reported, teams from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and the local Mufussil Police Station arrived at the scene. Police recovered three empty cartridges from the scene, confirming the presence of gunfire. This late-night firing near the railway line created a stir in the surrounding areas, and an atmosphere of fear prevailed among the villagers.

A joint team of GRP and RPF, including Ara Sadar SDPO One Raj Kumar Sah, Railway DSP Kanchan Raj, and Mufussil Station Head Deepak Kumar, arrived at the scene and launched a thorough investigation. Officials inspected the scene and interviewed local residents. The police are investigating the motive behind the criminals targeting the train and the identity of those behind it.

Based on the statement of Sanjeev Kumar, a soldier in the escort party deployed on the train, an FIR has been registered at the Mufussil police station against ten unidentified criminals. Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident may be linked to the illegal liquor trade. It is suspected that during the chain-pulling, the criminals escaped by removing five to six large bags from the train, possibly containing illegal materials.

The police are also investigating whether this incident is the work of an organized gang that uses the railway route for illegal activities. CCTV cameras and other technical evidence installed around the scene are also being examined. The railway and police administrations have claimed that the accused will be identified and arrested soon.

This incident has once again forced us to reconsider the strength of security arrangements on major railway routes. Such an incident on a busy section like the Howrah Main Line not only puts passengers' lives at risk but also raises questions about the railway's security preparedness. Currently, the police and railway administration have increased patrols in the area and appealed to passengers to remain vigilant to prevent such incidents in the future.