Mob stones Shatabdi near Kanpur, panic hits stranded passengers

KANPUR/LUCKNOW: Passengers on board the Delhi-Lucknow Shatabdi Express had a harrowing time on Sunday afternoon after an irate mob blocked tracks and pelted stones at the train, smashing its windowpanes near Rura railway halt in Kanpur Dehat.
The mob, comprising mostly youths waiting to board Padmavat Express after appearing for UPSSSC exam, was agitated over the fact that their train was held back to allow Shatabdi Express to pass.According to passengers and GRP sources, around 12pm, scores of candidates came on the tracks at Bhaupur station on the outskirts of Kanpur Dehat and forced the train to stop by waving red clothes and pieces of furniture at it.
They threw stones at the train and tried to enter the coaches.
Within minutes, there was an announcement inside the train asking attendants to shut doors of all coaches. The violence continued for about 45 minute.
The situation was brought under control after Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police jawans rushed to the site, chased away the protesting youths and cleared the tracks of piles of broken furniture.
The glass pane of one coach was broken, said GRP inspector Kanpur Central Ram Mohan Rai.
“Padmawat Express, originating from Delhi, had been diverted from its original route on Sunday. It was delayed by more than 10 hours. Its passengers, mostly examinees waiting for the train, got irritated and pelted stones at the Lucknow-bound Shatabdi Express because it was allowed to pass first,” said Rai.
Railway authorities, however, claimed that windowpanes were not smashed. NCR chief PRO Gaurav Krishna Bansal said, “No damage was caused to Shatabdi Express. There was a little chaos due to late arrival of trains due to diversions. A probe has been ordered.