Edited By: Pathikrit Sen Gupta
Last Updated: January 04, 2023, 01:57 AM IST
Damage caused to the Vande Bharat Express in the second stone-throwing incident in West Bengal. Pic/News18
On Tuesday, the stone-throwing happened when the train was leaving New Jalpaiguri, after a similar incident on Monday in Malda
Stones were thrown at the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Vande Bharat Express on Tuesday, the second time such an incident has taken place in two days in West Bengal. This time the event occurred near New Jalpaiguri station.
Earlier, unidentified miscreants had on Monday pelted the newly launched train with stones in north Bengal’s Malda on the second day of the train’s journey after it was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 30.
On Tuesday, the stone-throwing happened when the train was leaving New Jalpaiguri.
“One window pillar glass of C3 (near seat no. 53) and one window glass of C6 (near seat no. 70) have been broken in stone-pelting,” an official said.
Northeast Frontier Railway chief public relations officer (CPRO) Sabyasachi De confirmed to News18 that an FIR has been filed. “This incident took place when the train was leaving NJP in the afternoon. We are inquiring into the matter. We have filed an FIR,” he said.
The two incidents within such a short span of time have raised concerns for the railways.
Senior railway officials are now looking at the possibility of a conspiracy behind the stone-pelting, said sources.
The opposition BJP in West Bengal is projecting this as another example of the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
BJP co-incharge for West Bengal Amit Malviya tweeted about the matter on Tuesday night.
Vande Bharat attacked again in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee didn’t act after the train was attacked last night, and it has only emboldened the vandals, who are likely aligned to the TMC. Her silence is eloquent. She has taken her apathy for central Govt initiatives in WB too far. pic.twitter.com/Q6oTAPrlP9— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 3, 2023
State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar also took to Twitter.
Vande Bharat train stone pelted again first at Malda and then today at Phansidewa near Darjeeling district. Who are these people? Why CM @MamataOfficial isn’t ensuring safety and taking action against these people?
She must answer. pic.twitter.com/rEDHuszklg
—Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) January 3, 2023
The ruling Trinamool Congress, on the other hand, is hinting at a plot of the BJP.
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