Angry passengers block rail at Nangi station over trains running late daily

Tension ran high at Nangi railway station on the Sealdah-Budge Budge section on Thursday morning after a mob ransacked the stations master's room and vandalised the ticket counter.

The trouble broke out after the railway police resorted to lathi-charge on the passengers and local people who were demonstrating at the station protesting against the late running of train. The local people alleged late running of trains during office hours has become a regular phenomenon as a result of which trains often remain overcrowded.

A section of the commuters staged a rail blockade and agitated against the late running. The demonstration turned violent when the police chased the protesters and lathi-charged to disperse the irate mob. The mob also pelted stones at the police. Angry over police action, the mob also ransacked a car which was parked near the station. Passengers claimed that a woman passenger was injured when police resorted to lathi-charge.

The incident disrupted the train services for nearly four hours. The demonstration started at around 8.35 am when the Sealdah-bound Budge Budge local arrived at the station. The local residents alleged that the train came to the station around 30 minutes late. As a result of late running of trains, accidents often take place as most trains are overcrowded.

On Thursday morning, the first two compartments of the Sealdah-bound Budge Budge local stopped before entering the Nangi station as commuters put up a rail block. The train was scheduled to arrive at 8.09 am but it reached the station around 8.35 am, causing resentment among a section of passengers.

"We reach office late due to a regular late running of trains in this section. We have to wait for nearly one hour in the morning. If one misses the train that departs the station at 7.14 am, the passengers have to wait for the next train till 8.09 am. There is further delay when the trains run late.

We drew the attention of the senior railways officials but nothing happened," a passenger alleged.

Passengers also said that a mass petition was submitted to the DRM of Sealdah station demanding the increase in frequency of trains.

Railway authorities alleged that the driver and the guard of the local train were manhandled by the passengers. Railways have lodged a

complaint with the police and urged the police to go through the CCTV footages and identify those who damaged public property.

"More than 90 percent of our trains run on time. We are trying to achieve 100 percent in this regard.

People may have grievances but they should not take law in their own hands," a spokesperson of the Eastern Railways said.