Train stabbing is a dire warning

Mayank Lohar, 22, is evacuated at Borivli station from the coach in which he was stabbed following a dispute with a fellow passenger on June 23. He did not survive the attack

The recent stabbing on a Mumbai local train is not just another crime. It is a warning that we cannot take the safety of our railway system for granted. Every day, more than several lakh passengers travel on Mumbai's local trains. They trust that they will reach home safely. That trust must be protected.

The incident may have occurred due to a personal fight. But it raises a bigger question. How did a person carrying a knife enter one of the busiest railway systems in the world without being stopped?

The answer is simple. It is not very difficult.

No one expects the Railways to check every passenger. With more than 70 lakh commuters every day, that is simply not possible. If every person is frisked before entering a station, there will be huge queues, and trains will get delayed. Mumbai's local train network works because people move in and out quickly.

But there is a big difference between checking every passenger and not checking anyone.

After the 2006 train blasts and the 26/11 terror attacks, security at railway stations became much stronger. Metal detectors were installed. Baggage scanners were introduced. Police carried out random checks. Security personnel were visible at important stations. People accepted these checks because they knew they were necessary.

Today, many of these security measures are no longer seen regularly. At many stations, metal detectors are not monitored. Baggage scanners are not always used. Random checks have become less common. The recent stabbing has reminded us that security should never be taken for granted. This incident in no way was linked to terrorism. It is a clear case of personal violence. But the incident has exposed a weakness in the system. If a person can enter a crowded railway station carrying a knife without being noticed, the same gap could be misused by someone with much more dangerous intentions. That is why every security lapse must be taken seriously. The solution is not to stop every passenger for a detailed search. The solution is to make security smarter.

On Monday, the Maharashtra government is expected to make a statement in the legislature on the incident. The response should go beyond expressing concern or announcing an inquiry. It should present a clear roadmap to strengthen security on Mumbai's suburban railway network without disrupting the daily movement of millions of commuters and closer coordination between the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and the local police. Most importantly, these measures should become part of everyday policing rather than temporary responses to a shocking incident.

Security should also not become a one-time exercise carried out only after a major incident. Too often, stricter checks are introduced immediately after a tragedy, but they slowly disappear as public attention fades. This cycle has been repeated many times. Safety cannot depend on the memory of the last attack. It has to become a daily habit.

Random baggage checks should become regular again. Metal detectors and baggage scanners should always be working. CCTV cameras should be properly monitored. More police and security personnel should be seen at busy stations, especially during rush hours. Better use of technology can also improve security without causing delays.

At the same time, the public and railway commuters also have an important role to play.

The police alone cannot keep Mumbai safe. A city as large as Mumbai also needs responsible citizens. People should report suspicious behaviour, cooperate during random security checks, and understand that a few extra minutes spent on security are worth it if they make travel safer.

There is another lesson from this incident. People are becoming less patient and more aggressive. Small arguments are quickly turning into violent fights. Security alone cannot solve this problem. We also need better civic sense, more patience, and greater respect for one another. A safe city is built not only by police and laws but also by people who behave responsibly in public places.

Mumbai has always shown great courage after every crisis. But courage should not make us careless. Instead of waiting for another tragedy, we should learn from every warning.

The recent stabbing should be seen as one such warning. Security should not become stronger only after a major incident. It should remain strong every day. The responsibility lies with the Railways, the police and every commuter.

Mumbai's local trains are more than just a transport system. They are the lifeline of the city. Keeping them safe needs alert security, responsible citizens and constant vigilance. Only when all three work together can millions of Mumbaikars travel without fear.

Sanjeev Shivadekar is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @SanjeevShivadek

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The views expressed in this column are the individual's and don't represent those of the paper