Rlys condemns vandalism by Bihar police examinees

Patna: The railways has strongly condemned the vandalism and damage caused by Bihar Police recruitment examinees to special trains that were operated to facilitate their travel to examination centres across the state on June 14 and 17.Senior railway officials said that despite the deployment of a large number of special trains for the convenience of candidates appearing in the Bihar Police recruitment examination, several coaches were extensively damaged by Bihar police recruitment aspirants. The incidents were reported from trains operating under the Samastipur division of the East Central Railway (ECR).Confirming the vandalism and damages, Samastipur divisional railway manager ( DRM ) Jyoti Prakash Mishra said that examinees tore rexine seat covers, uprooted foam from berths and seats, and damaged emergency windows in several coaches.

More than 50 berths were reportedly vandalised during the journeys, causing substantial loss to railway property, he said.To manage the huge rush of candidates, the railways had operated at least 30 special trains across Bihar, including 12 special services under the Samastipur division alone. “The additional services were introduced to ensure smooth and hassle-free travel for aspirants appearing in the recruitment examination,” DRM said.

However, the damage caused to coaches has resulted in significant losses and will require additional expenditure for repairs. The railways warned that if such incidents continue in future, authorities may have to reconsider the operation of special trains during large-scale examinations.“Loss of railway property is a loss of national property. Every citizen has a responsibility to protect public assets”, DRM said adding the damaged coaches are being assessed and repair work is expected to be undertaken soon. In addition, railway authorities have appealed to passengers particularly examinees travelling in special trains, to maintain discipline and help preserve public property, sources said .