In Mumbai: Palghar, Dahanu women close train doors to bar Virar passengers

Angry women commuters from Palghar, Dahanu and other areas, closed all the entry doors of a Churchgate-bound local to prevent commuters from boarding the women’s coaches at Virar on Tuesday morning, resulting in train services getting delayed for a few minutes.

Angry women commuters from Palghar, Dahanu and other areas, closed all the entry doors of a Churchgate-bound local to prevent commuters from boarding the women’s coaches at Virar on Tuesday morning, resulting in train services getting delayed for a few minutes. The train services resumed on platform number 4 after the Railway Protection Force (RPF) intervened.

A heated argument started, when Palghar commuters told them to board Virar-Churchgate locals starting from various platforms at Virar. (Rahul Birhade)

On 19 October, a similar fight had ensued between Palghar and Virar commuters on the newly introduced Churchgate-Dahanu local around 9.50pm, wherein 14 commuters were arrested by the Virar RPF for creating a nuisance and subsequently released on bail the next day.

Read: RPF arrests 14 in Virar-Palghar commuter clash, accused allege lathicharge

As soon as the crowded Dahanu-Churchgate local arrived on platform number 4 at Virar station around 8.40am, women commuters from Palghar and Dahanu closed the doors of the second-class coaches to prevent commuters at Virar from boarding the train.

A heated argument started, when Palghar commuters told them to board Virar-Churchgate locals starting from various platforms at Virar.

Sub-inspector SS Yadav of the RPF said, “As soon as we heard the announcement about the ruckus made from the control room, we rushed to the spot to resolve the issue. The women commuters in the train had already closed the doors of the coaches by then.”

“After a delay of nearly 10 minutes, the Churchgate-bound local proceeded,” he said.

“No complaint was lodged from either side as the commuters were already late for work. Once a complaint is registered, we will take action,” said Yadav.

Chintaman Wanga, the MP from Palghar, has threatened to discontinue the newly launched Dahanu-Churchgate train service, if commuters from Virar and Palghar continue to create a ruckus over the issue.