Haryana villagers warned over stone-throwing on Shatabdi Express

Chandigarh: Taking a serious note of the incidents of stone-pelting on the Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabdi Express train, authorities in Haryana's Sonipat district have warned villagers from indulging in such actions.

Sonipat Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Rattan warned villagers between Rathdhana and Sonipat railway stations that strict action would be taken against those throwing stones at the train.

Unidentified miscreants had pelted stones at the Delhi-Chandigarh-Kalka Shatabdi Express on Monday evening when it was running between Rathdhana and Sonipat railway stations, leading to damage to window panes of the train. Following the incident, villagers of Rathdhana were warned through public announcement to refrain from such actions.

"Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) Rai, Ram Singh, held a meeting with the villagers of Rathdhana and also advised the children not to repeat such incidents in future," a state government spokesman said here.

"This incident has been taken seriously. If people are found involved in such incidents, cases will be registered leading to rigorous punishment," he added.

Incidents of stone-pelting on the Shatabdi Express are reported often in Sonipat, Panipat and Karnal districts of Haryana. At times, the stones have been able to break through the double-glass of the train windows.

The Amritsar-Delhi Shatabdi Express was attacked with stones in September 2009 when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was travelling on it. The stones, however, missed hitting the coach in which he was in.

(IANS)