Enraged about loss of life amid rail protest, commuters demand action against those concerned; according to police, the victims were walking on the tracks when the train approached from behind. Because of the darkness, other commuters initially couldn’t understand what had happened
Signs scripted by railway workers who went on strike at CSMT on Thursday. PIC/ASHISH RAJE
Saddened by the deaths of a woman and an unidentified man at Sandhurst Road station due to a strike at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on Thursday, passengers expressed anger at the unions responsible for the protest, blaming them for endangering lives. “Whenever action is taken against motormen or engineers, unions resort to protests and bring the system to a halt. Lakhs suffered today because trains were suddenly stopped,” a commuter said.
According to police, the victims were walking on the tracks when the train approached from behind. Because of the darkness, other commuters initially couldn’t understand what had happened. Moments later, passengers realised people had been struck and RPF personnel, along with fellow commuters, rushed to help, carrying the injured off the tracks and shifting them to the hospital.
The tragedy unfolded after railway employee unions launched an abrupt agitation at CSMT, paralysing train operations on the Central and Harbour lines. With no information from authorities, thousands of stranded commuters began walking along the tracks to find their way home.
‘Such strikes unacceptable’
Ashok Pandey, Diva resident
‘I work in Kalbadevi and travel to CSMT daily from Diva. We have no alternative to the railways, so such sudden strikes by railway employees are unacceptable. They must think about the public before calling an agitation, which clearly did not happen this time. Passengers were left in a state of panic and confusion. I have been standing at CSMT for the past half an hour. This chaos directly caused the deaths of commuters. Strict action must be taken against those responsible’
Rajesh Thakkar, Kalyan resident
‘The accident at Sandhurst Road is entirely the fault of the railway administration and its staff. It is their responsibility to safeguard the interests of commuters. Because of this sudden strike, thousands of people were forced to walk on the tracks, which led to the incident. Strict action should be taken against the guilty’
Laffani Lal Jethanand, Ulhasnagar resident
‘Going on strike without informing the public is wrong, but commuters should have shown some patience as well. Walking on the railway tracks is always dangerous. The passengers concerned also bear responsibility for what happened’
Milan Mehta, Ghatkopar resident
‘We had come to Fort for some work when we learnt that trains were running late. There should have been prior intimation about this strike. At the same time, people must take care of their own safety in such situations’
Five
No of commuters who were run over amid strike
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