Commuters block Sodepur Stn for 3 hrs

Kolkata: Irate passengers ransacked Sodepur station following non-stoppage of the Down Ranaghat-Sealdah galloping local train that passed by at around 10 am on Saturday morning.

Passengers alleged that the Railway authority had announced that the train would stop at Sodepur station but it simply passed through the station, that not only compounded to their hardship but also could have led to a fatal accident. According to the passengers and shop-owners beside the station, around 9:30 am it was announced that the Down Ranaghat local would stop at Sodepur. Already, several trains have been cancelled due to the ongoing non-interlocking work for commissioning of automatic signalling system between Barrackpore and Ichhapur stations. Hearing the announcement, there was relief amongst the passengers. But when the train arrived, it did not stop at Sodepur station as the signal was still green.

Following this, passengers were furious and ransacked the Station Master's room. Stones were pelted and several railway staff were manhandled. The display board at the station and the control panel inside the signalling system cabin were also broken. Some of the passengers blocked the rail track by sitting there and placing objects. Within a short period, the GRP and RPF reached the spot. Later, Barrackpore Police came with reinforcements.

Primarily, the police tried to clear the track by assuring the mob that the authority would intervene to ease their problem but in vain. At around 12:30 pm, a large number of passengers from other trains protested against the unruly behaviour of the mob. As resistance grew, the mob had to withdraw.

"None have been arrested as there is no complaint from anyone," said the Superintendent of Railway Police (Sealdah) Asesh Biswas. The Railway authority issued a statement: "We have initiated a departmental investigation. If any person is found guilty, action will be taken accordingly," said chief PRO Rabi Mahapatra.