RPF arrests 84, nabs 2773 over stone pelting on running trains

Concerned over a sudden surge in incidents of stone-pelting on running trains, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) conducted a special drive last month, arresting 84 people for the offence and apprehending hundreds of trespassers.
In a statement, the Railways said the RPF organised several public awareness drives on the issue by working closely with local authorities and village administration such as Gram Panchayats and their representatives, schools, settlements along the track, and colleges.
Notices and pamphlets were published in newspapers, and leaflets were distributed among the public to raise awareness on this issue, it said.
“The RPF observed a sudden surge in incidents of stone-pelting on running trains, which posed a serious threat to the safety and security of travelling passengers.
“In addition, the RPF took several other measures, such as supplementing deployment at black spots, train escorting, and a drive against trespassers, leading to the apprehension of 2,773 individuals under the provisions of the Railways Act,” it said. In the recent past, premium Vande Bharat trains have copped several such incidents with almost all new trainset being targeted by stone-pelters within days of its launch.