On Sunday (12th January), some unidentified people pelted stones at a Maha Kumbh-bound train in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon. The incident happened when Taptiganga Express was travelling from Surat to Prayagraj.
Several videos recorded by the Taptiganga Express passengers have surfaced online showing broken window glasses. The attack caused panic among the Maha Kumbh devotees although none of the passengers suffered injuries.
WATCH | The ‘Tapti Ganga Express’ train, carrying Hindu devotees traveling to the Mahakumbh, was attacked with heavy stone pelting in Jalgaon, Maharashtra.#MahaKumbh2025 #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/WJ4iqAzOU4
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) January 12, 2025
The incident occurred at around 3.20 p.m., while the train was departing Jalgaon station. According to railway officials, a stone was hurled at the window of coach B-6, shattering the glass at berths 33-39. Passengers in the AC coach, horrified by the loud crash of the broken glass, promptly recorded videos and reported the incident to authorities.
In a video going viral on social media, one of the passengers highlighted the damage caused by the stone pelting and appealed to railway authorities to ensure better security for trains.
Meanwhile, an official on duty said that a person has been identified who allegedly pelted stones and fled the spot after attacking the train. Jalgaon Railway Protection Force (RPF) has launched an investigation into the matter after registering a case.
It is notable that the Taptiganga Express is popular for carrying devotees to the Kumbh Mela. After the incident, the authorities are taking additional security measures along the route to prevent any such incident and provide safe travel to Maha Kumbh devotees.
Jalgaon, Maharashtra: On incident of stone pelting was reported at Tapi Ganga Express traveling from Surat to Chapra in Jalgaon, RPF Inspector Gyaneshwar Patil says, "The incident should not be regarded as stone pelting. Train number 19045 down Surat-Chhapra Express arrived at… pic.twitter.com/zwgAAOYYu9
— IANS (@ians_india) January 12, 2025
Speaking about the incident, RPF Inspector Gyaneshwar Patil said: “The incident should not be regarded as stone pelting. Train number 19045 down Surat-Chhapra Express arrived at 2:02 PM today on platform number 2. After the train departed at 2:17 PM, it travelled a short distance, approximately 16-17 coaches ahead from the platform. At that moment, a stone was thrown from the left side by an individual, hitting the window of the train…”