Ajit Karn
All local and mail express train services were suspended after a stone-pelting event in Hooghly district.
A new incident of stone-throwing was reported in the Hooghly district, resulting in the suspension of all local and mail express train services.
On Monday evening, a new incident of stone-throwing was reported in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, prompting the railways to suspend all local and mail express train service to Rishra railway station.
The incident of stone pelting occurred at the Rishra station, according to the superintendent of public relations for Easter Railway, Kaushik Miron.
“Train movements over the Howrah-Bandel main line section in both directions were suspended at 22:06 hours on 3.4.2023 due to a stone-throwing incident near level crossing gate no. 4 (spl) of Rishra (Shrirampur end),” Miron said in a statement.
Miron stated, however, that train service in the affected section resumed at 1:07 a.m., when the situation improved.
As a result of this, a number of local and long-distance trains were delayed for an extended period of time. The Howrah-Bandel and Howrah-Burdwan rail lines are now operating normally,” he added.
According to media, police and the rapid action force (RAF) have been deployed in the area to prevent violence and other untoward incidents.
In a tweet, BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari claimed that “Rishra is on fire” and that the entire state administration is on vacation in Digha.
“Local and express train services on the Howrah-Bardhaman Line were halted due to stone throwing and explosion near Rishra Railway Station. Train services have been reinstated following RPF’s action. Rishra is on fire, and the entire State Administration is enjoying a beach vacation in Digha,” Adhikari tweeted.
The incident occurred a day after confrontations broke out during the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Shobha Yatra on Sunday in Hooghly. Subsequently, the state government issued prohibitive orders and suspended internet service in the entire district.
Thursday, during Ram Navami celebrations in Howrah, a number of vehicles were set on fire after two groups clashed. Throughout the procession, the protestors vandalized public and private property and set fire to vehicles.
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Friday, as a result of the violence in Howrah, the government of West Bengal turned over the investigation to the Criminal Investigation Department. (CID). The investigation was initiated by a special team commanded by the inspector general of the CID of the police, Sunil Choudhury.
