This Article is From Jun 02, 2009

Trains burnt in Bihar: Justice or hooliganism?

Patna:

Three trains were set on fire and railways lines attacked in Bihar on Monday. The reason was because the government passed an order saying there were too many unnecessary stops in some routes.

Politicians were so scared by violent protests that instead of cracking down on hooliganism, they overturned their own decision.

"The train should stop wherever people demand and if that does not happen, we will repeat this," said a protestor.

Shockingly, the police just stood by, alongside the mob. Nobody was arrested at Khusrupur, close to Patna. Soon, another train nearby, was also set on fire.

With each bogie costing about huge money, there was great damage.

The protesters claim their demands justified the violence. They wanted the railways to reinstate several halts at short distances for local trains - halts that are unviable.

Instead of arresting the hooligans, the authorities simply gave in.

"Seeing the public protests the Eastern Railways has decided to continue all the stops that were withdrawn," said East Zone CPRO A K Chandra.

Not one from the political leadership involved promised action against the mob.

"I do not know anything about it," said Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"Nitish should take care of railway's security in Bihar," said Lalu Prasad, former railway minister.

While the politicians passed the buck, genuine commuters were the real victims.

"Burning trains and destroying tracks is no solution," said a commuter.

But with the government itself giving in, there's little hope of stopping hooligans like these.

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