Stone pelted at Vande Bharat Express in West Bengal on Day 2 of its operation
Even though no passengers were injured, the glass of a door of coach number C-13 was shattered because of the impact
Unidentified miscreants on Monday pelted stones at the newly-launched Vande Bharat Express 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.
Even though no passengers were injured, the glass of a door of coach number C-13 was shattered because of the impact. Railway authorities have started a probe, and have registered a case under section 154 of the Railways Act.
“There was a case of stone pelting on the New Jalpaiguri–Howrah Vande Bharat Express at Kumarganj around 5:50 pm on Monday. One main door-glass was affected. None were injured. There was no delay in the schedule,” said a senior railway official.
PM Modi flagged off West Bengal’s first Vande Bharat Express on Friday, and it commenced passenger service on January 1.
Also Read:Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express: Speed, ticket fare, stoppages
Monday’s incident, however, triggered a blame game between the ruling Trinamool Congress and its principal opposition the Bharatiya Janata Party.
“Unfortunate & sickening. Stones pelted at India’s pride Vande Bharat Express in WB’s Malda district. Is this revenge for ‘Jai Shree Ram’ chants on the Inaugural day? I urge @PMOIndia & @RailMinIndia to handover the probe to @NIA_India & punish the perpetrators. @AshwiniVaishnaw,” tweeted Suvendu Adhikary, BJP legislator and leader of the opposition in the West Bengal assembly.
“Who are trying to damage ‘Vande Bharat’? Proper investigation needed. @AITCofficial strongly condemn stone throwing. But this may be a conspiracy to create negative campaign against Bengal. First throw stones, then make statements, then start dirty politics; a well-planned script,” tweeted Kunal Ghosh, TMC spokesperson.
