More than a day and a half after a daring robbery on a moving train, authorities are still hunting for the culprits. The incident, which has exposed glaring security gaps, occurred on the Jodhpur-Kamakhya Express (15623) near Patna, leaving passengers shaken and demanding answers.
Details of the Night-Time Robbery
In the early hours of Thursday, miscreants targeted passengers travelling in the air-conditioned coaches of the Jodhpur-Kamakhya Express. The train was near the Hardas Bigha area close to Fatuha, under the Danapur division of the East Central Railway. The thieves reportedly pulled the alarm chain to stop the train, executed the thefts, and fled into the night with valuable belongings.
Despite 36 hours passing since the crime, no arrests have been made. A joint team comprising the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF), supported by local police, is conducting a vigorous search operation. Danapur RPF Commandant Uday Singh Pawar stated that certain clues have been found and expressed confidence that the culprits will be apprehended soon.
Security Protocols Under Scrutiny
The brazen theft has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of onboard security. Passengers and railway associations are questioning how criminals managed to enter secured AC coaches, which typically have coach attendants, despite the presence of train escort personnel.
Shoaib Quraishi, General Secretary of the Bihar Daily Passenger Association, highlighted that the Danapur division has seen similar incidents before. This latest case has once again put the roles of both the RPF and GRP under intense scrutiny. Commandant Pawar provided context on escort duties, noting that RPF personnel escort 50 to 60 passenger trains in the division, while the GRP is assigned 70 to 72 trains on various routes.
Passenger Outcry and Demands for Action
Victims and concerned citizens have taken to the RPF's Rail Madad portal to lodge complaints and express their alarm. A primary concern is the apparent security lapse, with many highlighting the increased vulnerability of women passengers during night journeys.
Passengers are demanding to know how the thieves escaped without being challenged. Their key demands include:
- Strict monitoring and enhanced night patrols on trains.
- Clear accountability from security agencies like the RPF and GRP.
- Immediate steps to strengthen security mechanisms in reserved AC coaches.
As another association member pointed out, this incident underscores the urgent need to restore passenger confidence, especially for trains passing through Bihar. The search continues, but the wait for justice and systemic reform grows longer.
