Throwing stones continues

The incidents of throwing stones on moving trains in the West Zone (WZ) of Bangladesh Railway (BR) have been continuing unabatedly despite a campaign by BR to raise awareness.

Experts have opined that such incidents are recurring because of lax laws and the inertia of victims to file lawsuits to avoid harassment.

In absence of effective law, BR has no obligation to file a case in connection with the incidents of throwing stones rather it insists victim passengers on taking legal action.

The right eye of five-year-old Azmeer Islam was damaged after being hit by a stone thrown near Saidpur Rail Station on August 15 last year. Photo: Collected

In most cases, victims do not file cases as the incidents occur far away from their home and police stations often refuse to accept the complaints citing that the spot of occurrence is not under its jurisdiction.

Sources at the SP office of Saidpur Railway Police  in Nilphamari, which monitors the law and order in trains and rail tracks in eight districts in Rangpur division, informed that only three cases were filed in connection with stone-throwing incidents last year though the actual number of incidents is much higher.

Superintiendent of Police (SP) SiddiqueeTanzilur Rahman said, "Dozens of stone-throwing incidents occurred but only three cases were filed last year and it would be easier for us to handle the situation if rail authorities lodge cases willingly."

On January 20, assistant train driver Liton Hossain, 35, while operating a local train in Burimari-Lalmonirhat route was injured after being hit by a stone thrown by miscreants near Roizbag Station in Aditmari upazila. The stone also damaged the windowpane of the engine compartment.

But the victim driver disagreed to file a case to avoid harassment and even railway authorities did not do so through their property was damaged, Saidpur railway police sources informed.

Earlier on August 15 last year, the right eye of a five-year-old boy Azmeer Islam was damaged after being hit by a stone thrown near Saidpur Rail Station while he was on board of Khulna-bound Simanto Express. He was sitting by the window at the moment.

The victim's father Maruf Hossain at the request of rail police filed a case with Saidpur Railway Police Station.

Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) offices in Lalmonirhat and Pakshi divisions in WZ informed that on average 35-40 stone-throwing incidents occurred last year. Many of which were unreported.

Shah Sufi Noor Mohammad, DRM of Lalmonirhat division, said  "It is a question, who would file a case and against whom as in most cases, culprits are either untraced or children. If railway has to file a case for each of the stone-throwing incidents, fresh law should be formulated."