16 August 2023, Mumbai: In yet another alarming incident of stone pelting, the semi-high speed Vande Bharat Express train operated by Indian Railways has been damaged. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when unidentified miscreants targeted the moving train, shattering a window. This incident marks the third case of stone pelting in Kerala within three days, following similar attacks on two trains in the northern Kannur district.
Stone Pelting Timing
The stone pelting incident took place between 4 PM and 4.30 PM on Wednesday when the Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat Express was traversing the region near Vatakara. Railway officials reported that the window of the C-8 coach sustained damage in this attack. Fortunately, there were no injuries as the glass was shattered from the outside.
RPF arrested a 20-year-old
Earlier incidents of stone pelting against the Vande Bharat Express have also been reported in Kerala. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the train’s operation in Kerala back in April this year. Just a few days ago, Railway Protection Force (RPF) arrested a 20-year-old man named Firoz Khan for damaging the Bhopal-Delhi Vande Bharat Express in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena district. The accused had thrown stones at the train, damaging a glass window.
This disturbing trend of stone pelting has caused significant financial losses for Indian Railways. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw disclosed that since 2019, the Railways has incurred losses exceeding Rs 55 lakh due to damage from such incidents on Vande Bharat trains. The government has responded by arresting 151 individuals involved in stone pelting cases.