Robbers struck the Patna-bound Rajdhani Express and fled with belongings of some passengers near Gahmar in Danapur division of Bihar early today, prompting rail authorities to suspend seven RPF men.
A seven-member escort party of the RPF was present in the premier train.
Manisha Aggarwal, Neha Prasad and Manju Singh, who were travelling in the train, reported the theft of their belongings by three youngsters, according to the FIR lodged by the aggrieved passengers.
“The thieves got into the Patna-bound Rajdhani Express (Train No. 12310) and lifted the luggage of several passengers in four coaches before deboarding at Gamhar outer in Uttar Pradesh when the train stopped there between 03:29 AM to 03:53 AM due to red signal,” the East Central Railway (ECR)’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Arvind Kumar Rajak said.
A Hindustan Times report said that around 23 passengers complained of being robbed of articles including luggage, laptops, mobile phones and luggage.
A Telegraph report said that there were around 12 robbers all of whom were armed with weapons. A passenger said one of the robbers had threated to shoot those who didn’t part with their belongings. Three passengers who resisted were assaulted and sustained minor injuries.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has directed the security directorate to ensure early arrest of the culprits, a senior railway ministry official said in New Delhi.
The robberies took place in three coaches, the official said.
A case has been registered on the basis of the complaint and investigation is underway.
Acting upon the complaint, the Railways has suspended one ASI (Railway Protection Force) and six (Railway Protection Special Force) constables who were on the train, the ECR CPRO said.
The passengers, who lost their luggage, have alleged the involvement of B7 coach attendant in the incident and he has been detained by the GRP for interrogation, Rajak said.
The passengers claimed that their goods and valuables were worth about Rs 4 lakh.
The RPF has also formed a dedicated team to assist the GRP in cracking the case.
Featured image source: PTI