We express grave concern over the growing incidents of stone thrown at running train across the country. The train journey has become a nightmare for many passengers who earlier fell victims to stone pelting at running trains. There are 65 spots in the eastern and western railway zones of the country where stones are pelted frequently at trains. Of them 36 spots have been identified in the east zone wile 29 spots in the west zone.
Stone pelting at running trains is a criminal offence and many people continue receiving serious injuries or even meeting the tragic end of their lives in such barbaric and cruel incidents. Besides, such unethical and immoral activities by some youngsters are also causing a huge loss to railway property.
At least 150 incidents of stone-throwing take place each year on average, causing damages worth Tk1.45 crore, media report says, adding around 200 people including passengers and railway employees were injured by stones thrown in different parts across the country last year. Recently a stone thrown at a running train at Saidpur in Nilphamari district by the unidentified miscreants has cost a five-year baby named Azmir Islam dearly.
The government should take
stringent action against those
involved in committing such crimes
The stone hurled at the train hit his eye and doctors who operated on his eye are skeptical of the chances of a full recovery for the damaged eye.
The youngsters mostly children do not realise that throwing stones at passing trains is nothing less than a ‘game of death’. Putting their ears on the track, they can hear the sound of the train coming at a distance. As soon as the train becomes visible, everyone is in their positions and then they become ready, set and go for throwing stones targeting the running trains.
The law enforcement agencies in association with the local public representatives should take necessary steps to stop the miscreants from pelting stones at running trains. Mass awareness is required to stop this kind of crime. Placards, festoons, and leaflets can be distributed among the people to build social awareness to prevent such deadly incidents. Also, when passing through the risky places, commuters must keep the windows shut to protect themselves from stones hurled at the trains. The government should take stringent action against those involved in committing such crimes.
