Sutlej Express Stone Pelting: A major oversight by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been reported in Ludhiana, Punjab. With no patrolling on railway tracks or trains, miscreants are freely throwing stones at trains. Last night, stones were thrown at the Sutlej Express (train number 14630) running from Hanumangarh in the Ludhiana section.

4-Year-Old Injured As Stones Shatter On Sutlej Express

Passengers in the train were hit by stones, and a 4-year-old boy named Prince was seriously injured, suffering a skull fracture. Two to three other passengers were also hurt in the attack. The stone pelting caused panic in the train, and passengers stopped the train by pulling the emergency chain. The TT staff came to check on the child, but there was no first aid available on the train. According to sources, the train’s loco pilot was also hit by a stone during the attack. Prince, covered in blood, received first aid when the train reached Ludhiana railway station.

4-Year-Old Was Referred To PGI

Prince’s family brought him to PGI in an ambulance after he was referred there for treatment. They traveled 13 kilometers while he was still covered in blood and received medical help at Ludhiana station.

Prince’s mother, Savita Kumar, shared that they boarded the Sutlej Express from Ganganagar around 1 p.m. for Ludhiana. When the train neared Baddowal in Ludhiana, stones started hitting their coach. One stone struck her son Prince’s head, and two other passengers were also hit. Prince was bleeding heavily and traveled about 13 kilometers in a blood-soaked state.

No GRP or RPF staff arrived to check on Prince’s condition after the incident. Passengers pulled the emergency chain to stop the train. As Prince’s condition worsened, he was quickly taken off at Ludhiana railway station, where railway doctors provided first aid. Prince’s mother, Savita, criticized the railway police for their negligence, saying they failed to ensure the safety of passengers during the journey.

RPF Negligence Exposed

Stones are being thrown at trains openly, but the officials patrolling the tracks have no idea who is responsible. This isn’t the first instance of stone pelting, as it has happened many times before. However, the RPF and GRP keep shifting the blame between each other, with railway police officials remaining silent on the issue.

Savita shared that she had recently given birth and was traveling with her son, Prince, to stay at her maternal home. After the incident, Prince’s relatives arrived at the station and admitted him to the Civil Hospital.

Prince’s maternal uncle, Vinod, stated that Prince’s skull is fractured, and doctors at the Civil Hospital have referred him to PGI. He urged senior officials to take action against the Railway Protection Force officers in Ludhiana, accusing them of neglecting passenger safety.

The family is calling on the Railway Minister to launch an investigation into those responsible for the negligence during the attack, ensuring that children can travel safely on trains in the future.

Also Read: Kolkata Rape-Murder: West Bengal Governor Slams State Administration, Says ‘Justice Must Be Done’