In a dramatic incident late Tuesday night, enraged passengers waiting to board the Mumbai-bound Antyodaya Express (15101) at Basti railway station resorted to vandalism after finding the coach doors locked. Videos of the incident, which have gone viral on social media, capture the chaos as one individual used a heavy stone to smash the glass panel of the train’s entry door, while others dismantled the iron grill of a window to climb into the coach.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Basti has registered an FIR under Section 145 of the Railway Act against unidentified individuals for their role in the vandalism.
According to railway officials, the train was severely overcrowded, prompting passengers already inside to bolt the doors from within to prevent more people from boarding. This infuriated those waiting at the station, leading to a violent outburst. "A youth shattered the glass of the entry door, and others broke the iron grill of a window to gain access," an official source said.
The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. and was followed by another video surfacing from Mankapur railway station later that night. The footage shows an RPF constable helping an elderly woman board the overcrowded train, highlighting the chaos passengers faced.
Chandra Mohan Mishra, Senior Divisional Security Commissioner of Northeastern Railway, confirmed that authorities have CCTV footage of the vandalism and are working to identify the perpetrators. "Our teams are trying to track down those involved," he said.
Despite the severity of the incident, no arrests have been made so far.
The Antyodaya Express, which runs between Chhapra and Mumbai, has been a lifeline for many passengers travelling long distances, but the incident underscores the challenges posed by overcrowded trains.
As the investigation continues, railway authorities will likely face questions about overcrowding and safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.