May 1, 2009

** Train Hijack **

"Someone" hijacked an EMU train that was parked in Chennai Central; drove it for a few kilometers at high speed and smashed it against an oncoming goods train during the early hours of Apr/29. 4 died and several injured due to the attack.

As far as I know, in real life, this is the first time that a train has been hijacked and used for killing people. Last month a train was hijacked in Bihar by the Maoists - but, it was released without any loss to life. This is a new trend that is catching up. Most of our railway stations and the whole of the railway tracks are sitting ducks for terror attacks. Imagine what would happen if a train full of passengers being hijacked and hit against an oncoming train carrying passengers. It would be catastrophe. Apart from the loss of lives, it would disturb the whole Indian Railways for days together. We all know how airplanes were hijacked for the 9/11 attack, which has turned the world history to take a new course. The world is not the same after that chilling terror attack.

I hope the Indian Government acts fast on this new trend and nips it in the bud stage. Tighter security to railway yards is the first step towards that direction. It is also being said that the hijacked train could have been stopped, if only officials on duty had acted promptly. They could have cut the electricity supply, changed tracks - could have done so many things. The hijacked train traveled just for four minutes before ramming against the goods train - nevertheless, de-linking electric supply or changing tracks would only have taken few seconds. I firmly believe that those on duty have not acted with sincerity. They must have been sleeping during the early morning hours and that led to so many slips and ultimately the death of innocent people. I am not surprised that no one noticed that a train was being moved before time, failed stopping at a station in between, traveling at high speed, traveling at an odd unscheduled hour - nothing - NOTHING was noticed. In general, Indian Government servants, (well, a big majority of them), are very lethargic , lazy and poor workers. You can walk into any Govt office to witness the phenomena. Nothing moves without bribery money. I hope, by some sheer magic - by hook or crook - all these things changes in the near future - or we all can be assured that the Nation is going down the path of disaster.

1 comment:

Sriram said...

Another fine example of a system which is functioning just by 'Bhagwaan Bharosa'. Such things are always on the cards when security or its namesake is beefed up only in front entrances of major rly stations while other thousands of entry points are simply forgotten. God only can help Indian Railways.