Two cops injured by stones pelted at trains near Mumbra

Stone-pelting remains a serious threat to train commuters. Two policemen got hit by stones while they were travelling on separate trains on the central route on Thursday. Both incidents happened within minutes of each other and took place at the same spot, just before the Parsik tunnel near Mumbra.

Constable Sudarshan Nalavade and Assistant Sub-Inspector Chandramohan Gaikwad were helped by fellow passengers and the Dombivli GRP after they were injured by the stones

Stone-pelting is common on this route, and the railway police have conducted several drives in the past to discourage miscreants who target passing trains. The Thane GRP have registered a case and suspect the incidents might be down to kids' antics.

Constable Sudarshan Nalavade (31), attached with the Wadala TT police station, was on his way home on a CST-Khopoli fast train when the stone hit him. He boarded the 9.09 pm train from Kurla and was standing near the doorway.

"Around 9.32 pm, I was busy talking to my wife on the phone. I heard a loud sound and the stone first hit the train and then ricocheted directly onto my lips. I was bleeding badly and nearly lost consciousness. Some passengers contacted the control room and the Dombivli GRP, who were waiting at the station platform, took me to the Shastri Nagar hospital," said the constable, who received five stitches above and below his lips.

Just minutes later, Dadar GRP's Assistant Sub-Inspector Chandramohan Gaikwad (55) was passing through the same spot while he was posted on night duty in the ladies compartment.

Gaikwad had boarded the 9.02 pm CST-Kasara local from Dadar. He too was standing near the doorway, but the sight of his uniform didn't deter the miscreants, and yet another stone came hurtling out of the dark.

"The train was just about to enter the Parsik tunnel when a stone hit the pole in the compartment and, before I could react, it rebounded on my face. It hit below my right eye. I was bleeding, and a few women made me sit while they called the control room," said the cop, who was injured in a similar incident a year ago.

Both cops were attended to by the Dombivli GRP, said Constable Dhanajay Devkar, adding, "Both incidents took place between 9.30 and 9.45 pm. Nalavade was brought first and within five minutes, Gaikwad was brought too. Both were shifted to Shastri hospital in Dombivli and then to the Thane GRP, as the incident took place in that jurisdiction."

The Thane GRP registered a case under Section 152 (Maliciously hurting or attempting to hurt persons travelling by railway) of the Railway Act and Section 427 (Mischief causing damage) of the IPC.

Senior Police Inspector Sunil Tondwalkar, Thane GRP, said, "Both incidents took place at the same spot. Our officers have been stationed at the spot since then and are in search of the unknown persons who pelted stones. Considering past incidents, it's possible some kids were responsible."