Stone-throwing targets E-1 executive coach of Shatabdi Express; RPF and GRP launch search, two arrests reported

A window pane in the E-1 executive coach of the Shatabdi Express was shattered on Thursday evening after stones were reportedly hurled at the train while it passed between Makkhanpur and Firozabad, officials said. The coach was carrying Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, who was unhurt, authorities added.

Initial details
According to railway and police officials, the incident occurred in the late evening as the Kanpur–New Delhi Shatabdi was en route to Tundla Junction. An object — later identified as a stone — struck the E-1 coach, breaking a window pane. Bhagwat, seated in that coach, was reportedly safe and continued his journey.

Security response
Following the report, joint teams of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) rushed to the Makkhanpur–Firozabad section and increased deployment along the route. Senior officers reached Tundla Junction, where the train arrived at Platform No. 1 at 7:34 pm and departed after inspection at 7:41 pm, officials said.

“Initial reports indicate the coach window was damaged by a stone,” a railway official said on condition of anonymity. “The passenger in that coach is safe. A search operation is underway in the nearby areas.”

Arrests and probe
Uttar Pradesh police said two men were arrested in connection with the stone-pelting. Local law enforcement and railway police are conducting searches in villages around the stretch where the attack took place to trace any additional suspects and to recover the weapon used.

Officials did not immediately release the identities of those detained. Officers said they were examining CCTV footage from stations and nearby level crossings and collecting statements from onboard staff and fellow passengers.

Sequence earlier in the day
Bhagwat had attended a blessing ceremony in Kanpur earlier on Thursday at around 2:30 pm for Vasundhara, the elder daughter of former BJP MP Satyadev Pachauri’s family member Neetu Singh, who is set to be married on June 21. The event drew several local leaders and required heightened security arrangements, police said.

After the function, Bhagwat boarded the Shatabdi Express to return to New Delhi. The stone reportedly struck the coach during that journey, while the train ran through the Makkhanpur–Firozabad stretch.

Ground-level cues
Passengers on board told reporters they heard a loud thud and saw a crack in the window pane before railway staff sealed the coach for inspection. Some travellers expressed unease over the attack but praised the quick response by RPF and GRP personnel once the incident was reported.

Local residents and commuters near the rail section said authorities intensified patrolling after the incident and that security vans were seen combing the area during the night.

Impact and public relevance
Stone-pelting on running trains raises concerns about passenger safety and the vulnerability of dignitaries travelling by scheduled services. Railway officials said they will review footage and strengthen cover in vulnerable stretches, particularly where trains slow down or pass close to habitations.

A senior police officer in Firozabad said such acts are treated as serious offences, and the team will seek to determine whether the incident was targeted or a random attack. “We are probing motive and will follow all leads,” the officer said.

Next steps
Investigating agencies said they will quiz the arrested men, examine local CCTV and level-crossing records, and check mobile phone tower pings to reconstruct movement in the area. Railway authorities are expected to issue an advisory for increased patrolling on the Kanpur–Delhi route until further notice.

The RPF and GRP have appealed to commuters and locals to share any information or footage that could aid the probe. Officials cautioned against speculation until the investigation establishes motive and culpability.

Teen Girl Pushed from Running Train by Boyfriend in Chhattisgarh

14-year-old student Devika Verma allegedly thrown off Venganga Express after quarrel; body found near Bilaspur railway tracks; three detained including minor accomplice

In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves across the region, a 14-year-old Class 8 student was allegedly pushed from a moving train by her boyfriend following a heated argument. The body of the minor girl, identified as Devika Verma, was recovered from railway tracks in Bilaspur district's Masturi police station area on March 29.

According to police sources, the girl had left her home in Chichola village under Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district on the night of March 28 without informing her family. She was reportedly accompanied by her boyfriend Mohan Verma from Dongargarh and two others.

The group boarded the Venganga Express heading towards Korba. During the journey, a dispute broke out between Devika and Mohan. In a fit of rage, Mohan allegedly pushed the girl out of the moving train, leading to her death. The incident occurred in the Masturi area of Bilaspur.

Minor's Disappearance Reported

Devika's family grew worried when she did not return home. On March 29, they lodged a missing person complaint at the Khairagarh police station. Meanwhile, railway track workers spotted an unidentified girl's body near Kisana-Parsada village in Masturi. Police conducted panchnama and preserved the body in the mortuary while circulating her photo and video on social media for identification.

Local residents and nearby police stations were alerted. When news of the body reached Khairagarh, Devika's family members identified her through the images. The body was handed over to the family on March 31 after formal procedures.

Police Detain Three Accused

Acting swiftly, Khairagarh police questioned villagers and gathered leads. They took into custody Mohan Verma, Harish Verma, and one minor accomplice. Initial investigations revealed that all four had travelled from Khairagarh to Dongargarh before boarding the train to Korba.

Additional SP (Rural) Madhulika Singh confirmed that Devika was one of four sisters in the family. Her father Shailendra Verma works as a sweeper in a local high school, while her mother is employed as a cook in an anganwadi centre.

The case has now been transferred to Khairagarh police for further investigation. Officers are questioning the detained persons to establish the exact sequence of events. Police are expected to reveal full details of the case later in the day.

Family Mourns Loss

Devika's family is devastated by the tragedy. The minor was cremated on March 30 amid heavy grief. Relatives described her as a regular student who had gone to Khairagarh for her maternal uncle's wedding before the incident.

Safety Concerns Raised

The incident has once again highlighted concerns over safety of young girls travelling unaccompanied and the risks associated with elopement cases involving minors. Authorities are examining whether any local connections aided the accused, as reports suggest one of the accused had acquaintances at the police station where the initial complaint was filed.

Railway authorities have also been asked to review CCTV footage and passenger details from the Venganga Express to corroborate the sequence.

What Lies Ahead

Khairagarh police have registered a case of murder and abduction. Post-mortem reports are awaited to determine the exact cause of death, though preliminary findings point to injuries sustained from falling off the moving train. Strict action has been promised against all involved, including possible charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act given the minor girl's age.

Senior officials are monitoring the probe to ensure a thorough investigation. The case has sparked discussions on better vigilance in rural areas and the need for stricter monitoring of inter-district train travel by minors.

This tragic episode serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by adolescent girls in small towns across Chhattisgarh and the urgent need for community awareness on such issues.