Six Camels Killed in Train Collision Near Jaisalmer's Lathi Area
The ongoing crisis facing camels in Rajasthan has taken another grim turn with a devastating incident reported from the Lathi area of Jaisalmer district. Late on Sunday night, a herd of camels crossing the railway tracks near the Shri Bhadariya–Lathi railway station was struck by a speeding train, resulting in the tragic deaths of six animals.
Details of the Tragic Accident
According to available information, the accident occurred late Sunday night or in the early hours of Monday morning near Lathi town in Jaisalmer. The Leelan Express, traveling from Jaisalmer towards Pokaran, collided with the herd as the animals attempted to cross the tracks. Reports indicate that the speeding train left the camels with no chance to escape, leading to immediate fatalities.
The impact of the collision was severe, with camel carcasses scattered over a wide area. Eyewitnesses described the scene at the accident site as deeply distressing, leaving villagers profoundly saddened. The incident has also triggered significant anger among camel herders throughout the region.
Immediate Aftermath and Response
Two of the camels became trapped in the train's engine, requiring considerable effort to remove them. As a result, the Leelan Express remained halted on the tracks for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, causing inconvenience to passengers before resuming its journey.
In the morning, a coordinated response team arrived at the site. This included police personnel from Lathi police station, railway staff such as Jamadar Rewatram Chaudhary, wildlife enthusiast Mukesh Bhil, and local villagers. Together, they worked to remove the dead camels from the railway tracks.
Community Outcry and Demands
As news of the incident spread, a large number of villagers and camel herders gathered at the site under the leadership of social worker Mukesh Bhil. Ranveer Singh, an animal lover from Lathi town, expressed the community's deep sorrow and anger over the recurring tragedies.
"Several such cases of animal deaths have occurred on this route in the past," Singh stated, "yet no effective preventive measures have been taken by the railway authorities or the administration."
The camel herders have presented specific demands to local authorities:
- Proper post-mortem examinations for the deceased camels
- Fair compensation for the affected owners
- Installation of fencing along sensitive railway stretches
- Regulation of train speeds in areas where livestock frequently graze
Broader Context and Safety Concerns
The Lathi region and surrounding areas depend heavily on livestock rearing. Alongside farming, many villagers rely on animal husbandry, with camels being particularly common in this arid landscape. The railway track passes near several villages located north and south of National Highway 11 between Pokaran and Jaisalmer.
Due to the isolated surroundings, livestock often graze near the railway tracks, creating conditions where such accidents can occur when animals stray onto the line. Despite repeated incidents of animals being killed by trains in the area, local residents claim that adequate safety measures have not been implemented by authorities.
Villagers have emphasized that they immediately informed both local administrative officials and the railway department about the latest incident. The community's frustration stems from what they perceive as insufficient action to prevent these preventable tragedies, highlighting an urgent need for infrastructure improvements and policy interventions to protect both livestock and railway operations in Rajasthan's camel-rearing regions.
