Kumbh-bound passengers hurl stones after being unable to board crowded trains in MP

Passengers heading to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh clashed with railway staff after being unable to board crowded trains, leading to stone-throwing incidents at two stations

Chhatarpur (MP): People heading for the Maha Kumbh threw stones on Prayagraj-bound trains at two railway stations in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur after passengers inside the packed coaches did not open the doors for them, officials said on Tuesday.

Following the ruckus at the Chhatarpur and Harpalpur railway stations on Monday night, authorities said stricter security arrangements would be made to avoid such incidents and that special trains were being run for Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh according to the demand.

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Some videos have surfaced on social media showing some people shouting at the Chhatarpur and Harpalpur railway stations. The clips also showed some people throwing stones and hitting at the doors of a train, and trying to force open them.

RK Singh, a passenger from Chhatarpur, told reporters that he was going to Prayagraj in UP to take a dip at the Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh there. But, he could not board a Prayagraj-bound train as all its doors and windows were closed, he claimed.

After the people created ruckus, the Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel opened doors of a train at Chhatarpur. But due to the train already being crowded, several people could not board it, he said. Jhansi railway division’s public relations officer Manoj Kumar Singh said the matter of a dispute about boarding trains at the Chhatarpur and Harpalpur railway stations has come to their notice.

The Railways will make stricter security arrangements by coordinating with the administration so that such incidents do not recur, he said.

Trains are being run continuously (for Prayagraj) and if needed, special trains are also being run as per the demand, Singh said. The administration expects cooperation from the passengers, he added.