Northern railway on Thursday released pictures of the coaches damaged by unidentified vandals on Eid across the Valley and appealed to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir to “discourage and prevent anti-social elements indulging in mindless vandalism as it is counter-productive benefiting no one”.
Northern railway chief public relations officer Neeraj Sharma said 17 out of 26 trains lose punctuality and expensive junction boxes in the Pir Panchal Tunnel.
“On July 20, two days after Eid, locals indulged in stone pelting and extensive vandalism on the trains, resulting in breakage of windowpanes, seats and covers,” said Sharma.
Expensive closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and junction boxes were also attacked in Peer Panjal Tunnel apparently by locals on Eid holidays. “The mindless vandalism has damaged property worth crores of rupees and hampered the rail services too,” said Sharma.
The railways complained that local youth resorted to roof-top travel even as there was sufficient accommodation available in the coaches.
“This forced the railways to run the trains accompanied with security forces even with the roof riders. Nevertheless, all railway staff performed their duties with great courage even in these dire circumstances,” said the spokesman.