The incident of train burning at Delang near Puri, that occurred last week on 17 April 2015, Friday, is something that should make administrators sit up and take notice. It was, in our opinion, not an off-the-cuff anger transforming into violence. According to information available, a person of that locality had tried to disembark from a running train the previous day. Obviously, the train had not stopped for him to alight. His effort was unsuccessful as he was dragged under the train and run over. Instead of mourning with the bereaved family of the victim, certain able-bodied men of the area planned out a coldblooded attack on the train which was returning the next day. This was a well-thought-out attack on a national property which was carrying many innocent passengers at that particular time. The passengers were lucky that all of them escaped unhurt when these goons stopped the train, poured fuel all over and set it ablaze. Probably, these elements were inspired by the photographs of the Godhra train burning incident. This time too, images of the fire and fumes emanating from the railway bogey were widely publicised by the media.
This kind of a pre-meditated attack on defenceless people is becoming repetitive in Orissa. A few weeks ago, someone started pelting stones at a running train which resulted in severe injuries caused to passengers sitting inside. The matter was very easily subdued, claiming the assailant was mentally imbalanced. Similarly, another recent incident that occurred on the bridge of River Sati near Jeypore of Koraput district was very alarming. Four people travelling in a jeep were ambushed and mercilessly beaten to death by a horde of villagers who had seemingly heard rumours about child-lifters operating in that area. Interestingly, no child had gone missing in nearby villages in that recent past. After killing the occupants, villagers set the vehicle on fire. On enquiry, it is found that no strict action has yet been taken by the authorities against the perpetrators of this ghastly crime because it involved a large bunch of people. On the other hand, in an oblique manner, efforts were made to justify the murder by feeding the media information that many sacks full of ganja were seized from the vehicle. Question may be asked as to how these marijuana sacks could survive while the vehicle was completely gutted.
The evil mind of such anti-socials should not be pardoned simply because a large group committed the crime. The Delang incident being cold-blooded and well-thought-out cannot be termed merely anti-social, but more appropriately as anti-national. These elements are now testing the limits of tolerance of the state and civil society. Incidents such as this train burning one should be taken as an exemplary case where punishment should be prompt and brutal. The Orissa police, in league with the General Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) must take stern steps to nip this mindset at the budding level.
Serious sections under the law such as treason, destruction of public property, attempt to murder, rioting and other such tough laws must be invoked to deal with these criminals. The state and Puri district administration must not sit back and twiddle its thumb. Immediate and strong action will go a long way in saving innocent lives in future. If left unpunished, such anti-nationals can only increase in courage and numbers.
