RPF cracks whip on troublemakers harassing Virar commuters

Lathi-wielding RPF cops charged inside the Dahanu Road-Vaitarna local on Wednesday night. PIC/Hanif Patel

Hooliganism on Mumbai's local trains is commonplace. But, a bunch of commuters on the Dahanu Road-Vaitarna local, took it to an extreme level, forcing the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to come down heavily on the ruffians. The offenders, who allegedly harassed commuters trying to get down at Virar station, were lathi-charged on Wednesday after the situation went out of control.

According to sources, the RPF in Virar had been receiving several complaints regarding the harassment from some commuters on the Dahanu Road-Vaitarna local. These people would taunt and yell at commuters, who wanted to get down at Virar station.

On Tuesday, the same group did not allow a few commuters to get down at Virar station. The commuters were then forced to alight at Vaitarna station. This incident prompted the RPF to take strict action against the troublemaking group, sources said.

On Wednesday night, a clash occurred between the two groups of commuters over the same issue. During the clash, someone pulled the ‘stop' chain when the 9.47 pm Dahanu train arrived on Platform No. 3 of Virar station.

RPF personnel, backed by the local GRP, reached the spot immediately and lathi-charged the menace-makers. Later, eight to nine commuters were detained.

Deepak Rane, sub-inspector from the Vasai GRP, confirmed the incident and said that RPF personnel will be taking action against the accused.

Many on the train had shot the lathi-charge incident on their mobile phones. Later, these pictures were making rounds on social media and WhatsApp groups with many claiming that the RPF's action was politically motivated.

Clearing the air, Balram Faujdar, sub-inspector, Virar RPF said, "We were receiving complaints from several Virar commuters and were keeping a close watch on the coaches. Last night, when we received information that clashes were again taking place on the Dahanu-bound local, our team, along with the GRP, rounded off 14 commuters. They have been booked under Sections 141 (needlessly interfering with means of communication in the train), 145 (B) (committing nuisance) and 146 (obstructing railway servant in his duties) of the Railway Act. They were later released on bail."