VELLORE: Robberies committed on unassuming passengers in moving trains seem to be increasing between Katpadi and Salem junction. In the latest incident, six women on the Bangalore-Chennai Mail were threatened at knife-point to part with their ornaments weighing about 25.5 sovereigns. The attack happened near Jolarpettai railway station in the wee hours on Saturday.
According to Government Railway Police, a six-member gang entered the S3 coach of Bangalore-Chennai Mail (12658) around 1:30 am while it was crossing Pachur village, about three km from the Jolarpettai station. They woke up the women, held them at knife-point and snatched their ornaments.
Four of the victims — Shayisha (35), Brintha (45), Kamatchi (42), and Seshakumari (27) — were from Chennai while Saraswathi (33) and Meenakshi (34) were from Bengaluru. While negotiating a curve between Jolarpettai and Bengarpet stations, the train usually slows to about 30-40 kmph. The robbery, according to the cops, happened during that time and it was all over within 15 minutes.