Pushpak express gang-rape: Unauthorised hawkers frequent trains, risk safety, say passenger bodies

Vandana Sonawane, a member of the zonal railway users’ committee and Maharashtra Mahila Pravasi Sangh; (right) Lata Argade, member of Tejaswini Mahila Passenger Association

Commuter organisations across the city have blasted the Central Railway (CR) over the dacoity and gang-rape in a crowded second class compartment of the Pushpak Express near Mumbai. They say it raises doubts not just on the safety of women but also points out how passengers are left to fend for themselves during such incidents.

Frequent travellers on the train said that throughout the journey, unauthorised hawkers keep freely walking in and out of the compartments, including the AC ones. "The train staff is aware of this being a routine affair. How can the train be safe with so many unauthorised people onboard," asked Ranjan Sinha, a passenger.

"Dacoits boarded the train, stopped it, and harassed and molested women passengers. This happened on a very crucial and important train, on its way to Mumbai, close to the zonal head office. What can be more shameful? Where is the railway ministry and minister now? Railway policing is divided between the RPF and GRP, and eventually no one takes responsibility," said Subhash H Gupta, president of Rail Yatri Parishad.

Subhash H Gupta, president of Rail Yatri Parishad, said railway policing is divided between the RPF and GRP and that eventually no one takes responsibility

"What happened to women's safety? What happened to the railway staff and cops? Between Manmad and Kalyan, and Kalyan and Igatpuri, every train compartment is full of hawkers who roam around in front of railway staff, ticket checkers and cops. They never raise any objection. This had to happen when rail staffers are hand-in-glove with unauthorised elements," said Lata Argade, member of Tejaswini Mahila Passenger Association.

"I had filed a RTI five years ago on the issue and was told that they did not have manpower to post personnel on all trains. They said they posted personnel only in trains that pass through identified dangerous areas. In this incident, the train slowed down and these people got in at that time. It is sad that such a thing happened in this age of communication. The railways should pull up their socks," said Vandana Sonawane, member of the zonal railway users' consultative committee and Maharashtra Mahila Pravasi Sangh.

The incident

The incident took place on Friday when a 20-year-old woman, who was travelling with her family, was raped by eight men on the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express. The train had left Igatpuri station and was slowing down before entering a tunnel, when the accused boarded the sleeper bogie armed with knives and belts. Passengers called for help when the train reached Kasara, following which four of the accused were apprehended. GRP officers said they were prompt in arresting all the eight accused. Railway officials, however, refused to comment on the issue.

08
No. of accused arrested in the case