Free-for-all in Mumbai as trains stall

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, January 2

Upset over disruption of suburban train services, commuters today went on a rampage torching vehicles, vandalising rail property and assaulting government employees leading to chaos for six hours and leaving thousands of people stranded before services resumed.

According to Central Railway officials, the trouble began around 6.30 am when the pantograph (overhead equipment that draws power from electrical lines) atop a train came crashing down near Thakurli railway station, snapping electrical wires. Power supply on the line was switched off and trains were diverted to other tracks.

However, this disrupted services all along the route and the situation worsened after two more trains suffered technical failures on this route shortly afterwards.

Railway officials said passengers who were stuck inside the trains descended on to the tracks and began walking to the nearest station. As a result, train services had to be halted between various stations on CR’s suburban network.

Meanwhile, passengers protested against non-availability of trains. They were reportedly irked at the railways not clarifying the cause for the delay.

At many places, angry commuters attacked railway personnel and damaged property. At least one motorman was injured at Diva station after angry commuters hurled stones at stationary trains.

Following the assault, motormen all along the Central Railway went on a flash strike demanding police protection. Services on the Harbour Line of the Central Railway were also disrupted following the strike.

By 10 am, the administration rushed in personnel from the Government Railway Police and other paramilitary personnel to control the situation. The police had to resort to lathicharge to control the situation at many places.

Nearly 75 people, including police personnel and railway employees, received injuries in the violence. The police said nearly 150 people had been taken into custody.

Several motorcycles and police jeeps were also set on fire by commuters. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who reviewed the situation asked people to maintain peace.

Later during the day, train services were gradually resumed after the administration deployed two personnel on every train to prevent attacks on motormen.