Piyush Goyal assures safety of rail passengers

By Our Staff Reporter
Imphal, May 28: Union Railways Minister, Piyush Goyal has assured all possible assistance and measures for safety and security of North-East passengers, said Member of Parliament (Inner Manipur) Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh today.
Dr Ranjan had written a letter to the Union Minister on May 23 apprising him of security concerns and difficulties stranded natives had faced recently on board Shramik Special trains to their home States. The Union Minister, over phone, has assured to address the issue and take up measures for safety of the passengers, said the statement.
In the letter, Dr Ranjan stressed on a Bihar incident, where a Shramik Special train with some 1,300 North-East natives were "attacked" at by throwing stones, smashing windows and trying to barge into the train. Dr Ranjan apprised the Union Minister that the passengers had to spend more than 20 hours of their journey without food and water.
He lamented that the train, which was supposed to be a direct service, was making long halts at several stations. For security and safety of the passengers, Dr Ranjan sought deployment of police and extra RPF (Railway Protection Force).
Dr Ranjan also thanked Piyush Goyal for hearing request for renovating Jiribam Railway Station up to "National standards" with all modern infrastructure and assuring extension of two trains presently operating from Silchar to Jiribam station, the only railhead to Manipur.
Poorvottar Sampark Kranti Express operates every Monday; and Kanchanjunga Express operates thrice in a week.
Thousands of stranded people of Manipur have returned to the State on trains since the last few days at Jiribam railway station under arrangement of the State Government.  More Manipuris stranded outside the State are also expected to arrive in the coming days.