KANPUR: An attempt was made to derail the Kalindi Express by placing the LPG cylinder on the tracks in the Shivrajpur area in Kanpur, police said on Monday.
The train was heading towards Bhiwani from Prayagraj at a high speed. The loco pilot spotted an LPG cylinder and some other objects on the tracks after which he applied brakes, making the train come to a screeching halt. Even after that, the train hit the cylinder that was thrown away from the track due to the impact. No passenger was harmed.
Soon after receiving information about the incident around 8:20 am on Sunday, senior officials of Kanpur Police and Anti-Terrorism Squad rushed to the site and launched an investigation into the matter. The forensics team was also called in, and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) along with UP Police Dog Squad is also investigating the matter.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Rajesh Kumat Singh said that the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad has launched a separate investigation. Additional security forces have been deployed along the critical and busy railway routes.
The police recovered the damaged cylinder along with a bottle of petrol and matchboxes from the site.
The Railways lodged an FIR, under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Explosives Act and the Railways Act, at Shivrajpur against unidentified persons, saying that placing an LPG cylinder on the tracks along with a bottle filled with petrol with a wick is a possible sabotage bid.
After registering the FIR, top officials formed five teams headed by senior officials to investigate the matter.
It has also been decided to look for 'Jamatis' (an Islamic congregation) in the vicinity and question them, official sources said.
A police team has also been dispatched to Kannauj after a sweet box (Siyaram sweets) was found near the site, with officials saying it could possibly lead them to the perpetrators.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chandra said the loco pilot saw that the LPG cylinder was placed on the tracks and applied the emergency brakes before hitting the cylinder. The loco pilot informed the guard and the gateman about the incident, he said.
Chandra said adding that efforts were being made to identify the culprits and they will be dealt with sternly and strict legal action will be taken.
The train was stationed at the incident site for about 20 minutes and was again stopped at the Bilhaur station for investigation, the ACP added, before continuing its journey.
The incident marks the second such occurrence in the state. On August 17, around 20 coaches of the Sabarmati Express were derailed near Kanpur. Rialway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw claimed the traub was derailed after it had hit some object placed on the tracks and sharp impact marks were found on the engine.
(With inputs from PTI)