Throwing stones at moving trains has recently increased at an alarming rate. Such 110 incidents took place which left 29 passengers and rail staff members injured while 103 window glasses were broken in last nine months of this year.
Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan made the remarks at a press conference held at the Railway Bhaban on Sunday. The press conference was organised on the role of the media and the measures taken by the railways to prevent the throwing of stones on moving trains.
The minister said, “Throwing stones at a moving train is currently a terrible problem in the country. Apart from Bangladesh, developed countries like the United States, New Zealand and others also have such problem. Passengers and train crews were injured by large stones thrown at the train windows there.”
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He said, “Incidents of throwing stones at moving trains have been taking places since the introduction of passenger trains in the subcontinent on April 16, 1853. Such incidents are common in Bangladesh as well. There were a number of incidents of stone throwing at trains in the post-independence period. It has gradually become a terrible problem. The rate of throwing stones at moving trains has increased in recent times. Such heinous acts injure people including passengers, train guards and employees. Many people have lost eyes and many others were injured critically due to stone throwing at trains.”
To solve the problem, he said, “Areas prone to stone throwing have already been identified. The five identified areas of the four eastern districts are: Pahartali in Chattogram, Barbakund in Sitakunda, Fazilpur-Kalidaha in Feni, and Narsingdi, Jinardi and Ghorashal in Narsingdi district.”
On the other hand, 15 risk-prone areas of 10 western districts are: Chuadanga Outer of Chuadanga, Abdulpur Railway Station of Natore, Shaheed M Mansur Ali Railway Station of Sirajganj, Bangabandhu Bridge West Railway Station, Muladuli Railway Station of Pabna, Kismot and Ruhia of Panchagarh and Thakorgaon district, Vangura railway station of Pabna, Velurpara railway station in Bagura, Bamandanga railway station in Gaibandha, Akkelpur railway station in Joypurhat, Ullapara railway station in Sirajganj, Salop railway station, Jamtail railway station, Baralbridge railway station in Pabna and Fultala railway station in Khulna.
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Railway Secretary Selim Reza, Director General of Bangladesh Railway Dhirendranath Majumder and others were also present at the press conference.
The stone throwers play this death game just for fun but it causes serious injury or death. Such barbaric and cruel incidents must be halted.
