A viral video that surfaced from the Muslim-dominated Malda district of West Bengal has raised the concern of railway security agencies. In the video, minor children are being made to place stones on the railway track. Before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to flag off India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train on January 17, this video has raised concerns for the RPF. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has alerted the local police about possible stone pelting and protests.

This sleeper train is to be run between Howrah and Guwahati and the Prime Minister will flag it off from Malda Town Railway Station. After the viral video surfaced, security agencies have seen it as a possible sabotage or conspiracy. In a video viral on social media on January 15, some children were seen carrying stones in bags and keeping them near the railway track in Beldanga area. The video also shows that as soon as a railway maintenance vehicle reaches the spot, the children run away. The allegation is that these children were used deliberately by adults.

After the video went viral, the RPF wrote a letter to the officer in charge of Kaliachak police station in Malda, warning them. In the letter, RPF said, “We have received secret information that some anti-social elements in Malda may try to throw stones at the first Vande Bharat Sleeper Express to be flagged off by the Prime Minister on January 17.” RPF also expressed apprehension that black flags may be shown in protest against the Prime Minister and adequate security arrangements need to be made for this.

Citing intelligence information in the RPF letter, it has been said that after the departure of the train from Malda, there is a possibility of stone pelting at stations like Jamirghata, Khaltipur, Chamagram, Shankhapada, New Farakka, Ballalpur, Dhulian, Basudevpur and Tilladanga.

The letter also mentioned that a person named Subodh Kumar Sau had informed RPF through e-mail that some mischievous elements were conspiring to disrupt the train journey. Following the RPF warning, Kaliachak police have been instructed to deploy additional forces in sensitive areas, increase surveillance and maintain law and order. Officials say preventive steps are being taken so that no untoward incident happens during the inaugural visit.

This alert has been issued at a time when several incidents of stone pelting on Vande Bharat trains have been reported since 2023. The Railways had taken strict action especially after the attacks on Howrah–New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express.

According to RPF officials, in view of the sensitivity of the country’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train and its route, this time pre-vigilance is being taken, so that the inauguration program and train operation can remain completely safe.

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