Four women going for holy dip in Ganga ahead of Chhath run over by train in Bihar

According to police officials, the victims were on their way to take a dip in the Ganga, a day ahead of the Chhath festival.

Four women were killed when they came under the wheels of a running train in Bihar’s Munger district, 178 km east of Patna, after they failed to notice it due to dense fog on Monday morning.

People block the Jamalpur-Dasrathpur road after four women were run over by a train in Munger district of Bihar on Monday. (HT photo)

Police said the women were run over by the Bhagalpur-Danapur Intercity train at about 6.30am at Adalpur Halt between Dasrathpur and Dharhara stations on the Bhagalpur-Jamalpur section of Eastern Railway.

The victims could not spot the approaching train due to heavy morning fog, police added.

The victims were among 150 people on way to Munger Ghat, 15km from Adalpur Halt, to take a holy dip in the Ganga river ahead of the four-day Chhath festival that begins on Tuesday, police said.

They were waiting to board, what is known in local parlance as Shramik train, when the incident took place.

“The Shramik train, which runs between Kiul and Jamalpur to ferry employees of Jamalpur railway workshop, is also popular among local commuters as no ticket is issued for it,” police said.

Those killed in the accident were identified as Rekha Devi, 41; Anita Devi, 36; Geeta Devi, 39; and Bijo Devi, 35; police said, adding that 12 people were injured in the incident.

Protesting against the incident, an irate mob paralysed train services on the Kiul-Jamalpur section and blocked the road between Jamalpur and Dasrathpur, demanding compensation to the families of the victims.

Eastern Railway sources said many trains were stranded at various stations as a result. They included Yashvantpur-Bhagalpur Anga Express at Abhaypur, Delhi-Malda Town Farakka Express at Kajra, Danapur-Shahibganj Intercity at Kiul and Jaynagar-Howrah passenger at Dhanauri.

Eastern range (Bhagalpur) deputy inspector general Viikas Vaibhav, who also holds the additional charge of Munger, confirmed the four deaths.

Vaibhav said the blockade of the track and road was lifted around 11am following assurance from the administration to consider the protestors’ demands.

Munger superintendent of police Asish Bharti said the families of the victims would be paid a compensation of Rs 4.25 lakh each as per government rules.

The sources in Eastern Railway said movement of trains on the Kiul-Jamalpur section resumed at 11.15am after the blockade was lifted and tracks were cleared.