Boy throws four-year-old girl out of speeding train

Sadhana Jamdade, the child, miraculously survived the incident and is recovering at the Sion hospital in Mumbai. According to Tukaram Chavan, commissioner of railway police, Sadhana was travelling to Kalyan along with her parents and uncle in the Mumbai-Bhusawal passenger train. Chhotu Samar Mandal, a co-passenger, got into an argument with Sameer, the child’s father, over a seat he had occupied.

The 19-year-old Mandal suddenly grabbed Sadhana who was seated opposite him along with her mother, as the train passed Vidyavihar station, and flung her out onto the tracks. Other passengers attacked the youth, while Sameer and his brother pulled the emergency chain to stop the train. They then got off the train and walked towards Vidyavihar in search of the child. By then a couple of trains had also passed in the opposite direction. The girl was found lying next to the tracks with minor head injuries. She was rushed to the Sion hospital, where she was being treated for several injuries. Mandal, who was thrashed by other passengers, also had to be hospitalised. The police have charged him with attempt to murder.

Fights over seats are common in Mumbai trains, especially long-distance ones. Many passengers ‘reserve’ seats for their friends and relatives in unreserved compartments, leading to frequent fights. Such fights are common even in the over-crowded local suburban trains.

Railway accidents are common on both the Central and Western Railways in Mumbai. Every day, about 10 passengers get killed, either falling off trains, or being mowed over by trains while crossing tracks.

Suburban trains in Mumbai are not air-conditioned (in many instances, even the fans do not work), and commuters travel in inhuman conditions.

The first phase of the Mumbai Metro, which will ensure air-conditioned comfort for passengers, is expected to become operational next year. The first phase links Versova to Ghatkopar.

nithin@khaleejtimes.com