Lok Sabha Question No. 1135 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Stone Pelting Incidents
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Queen Oja

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1135 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2023

## STONE PELTING INCIDENTS

†1135.    SHRIMATI QUEEN OJA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that stone pelting incidents are happening repeatedly on high speed Vande Bharat trains since a very long time;
- (b) if  so,  the  approximate  damage  caused  to  trains  due  to  such incidents along with the details thereof;
- (c) whether police has succeeded in arresting the culprits in these cases and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether passengers have also suffered loss of life and property in these incidents and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. *****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1135 BY SHRIMATI QUEEN OJA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 26.07.2023 REGARDING STONE PELTING INCIDENTS

(a)  to  (d):  'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are  State  subjects  under  the  Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and, therefore, State Governments are responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and maintenance of law and order on Railways through their law enforcement agencies viz. Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. Railway  Protection  Force  (RPF)  supplements  the  efforts  of  GRP/District Police to provide better protection and security to railway property, passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith.

Some  incidents  of  stone  pelting  incidents  have  been  reported  on  Vande Bharat trains. During the year 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 (upto June), Indian  Railways  suffered  loss  of ₹ 55.60  lakhs  due  to  damage  caused  to Vande Bharat trains in the incidents of  stone  pelting.  In  response  to  such incidents,  151  persons  involved  in  stone  pelting  have  been  arrested.    No incident leading to loss of life of passenger or  theft/ damage to passenger belongings has been reported.

In  order  to  safeguard  the  lives  of  passengers  and  damage  to  Railway Property due to vandalizing by miscreants, the following steps are taken by RPF in coordination with GRP/District police & Civil administration :-

1. Various awareness programme including OPERATION SATHI are conducted  regularly  in  inhabited  areas  adjacent  to  Railway  track  to sensitize people towards the menace of stone pelting and its consequences.
2. Public are being made aware of the consequences arising out of agitation leading  to  damage  &  destruction  of  railway  property  during  these agitations.

3. The train escorting parties have been sensitized to remain more vigilant in the vulnerable sections/spots, where incidents of vandalizing on trains are frequently reported.
4. Detailed  guidelines  have  been  issued  regarding  action  to  be  taken  to control  incidents  of  stone  pelting  on  moving  trains.  Analysis  of  these incidents followed by substantive action is taken to curb these incidents.
5. Regular drives are conducted against anti-social elements like drunkard, mischievous  elements  etc.  in  the  effected  section/black  spots  and  the apprehended persons are prosecuted under legal provisions of law.
6. Regular  co-ordination  with  GRP/Local  Police  is  maintained  by  RPF, sharing the critical information to control the menace of pelting of stones on trains.
7. For immediate assistance passengers can make complaint on Rail Madad Portal directly or through Helpline Number 139 (integrated with National Emergency No. 112).
8. Railways  are  in  regular  touch  with  passengers  through  various  social media platforms viz. Twitter, Facebook, Koo etc. to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concerns.
9. Surveillance is kept through CCTV cameras provided in 7264 coaches in trains and at 866 Railway stations for enhanced security of passengers
10. State Level Security Committee of Railways (SLSCR) have been constituted  for  all  State/Union  Territories  under  the  Chairmanship  of respective Director General  of Police/Commissioner  of States/Union Territories for regular monitoring and review of security arrangements of the Railways.

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