Western Railway (WR) services were disrupted thanks to a derailment on Tuesday, morning. The city was thrown out of gear as one arm of Mumbai’s lifeline seemed paralyzed. The problem was compounded by late evening as lakhs of commuters struggled to get home. Some commuters reached their homes from their workplaces at least three hours after they usually do so.

Frustration and rage was mounting and suddenly, people found their target. Around 10.30 pm that day, a few commuters surrounded Vile Parle’s stationmaster, Ashok Azad, and allegedly manhandled him. Sources said Azad fell on the tracks during the ensuing scuffle and received minor injuries on his chest and abdomen. Now, stationmasters do not want to wear their white uniforms, as they feel they often have to bear the brunt of angry commuters who can easily identify them by the uniform. Earlier too, we have had incidents of railway staff being beaten up when an accident or any disruption in services has taken place. Stone throwing too, is common.