Bangladesh Railway (BR) loses Tk 20 million every year in terms of damage to trains and injuries of people due to incidents of stone-throwing at running trains.
Railway Secretary Mohammad Mofazzel Hossain disclosed this on Thursday at a meeting held at Rail Bhaban. Railway Minister Mazibul Hoque was present.
The railway secretary said BR recorded, on an average, 150 incidents of stone throwing in its west and east zones which caused damage to train doors and windows etc. More than 14 people including BR staff were also injured in such incidents.
"These are not political incidents," the secretary told the meeting held to devise a timely work plan for creating awareness in the areas, where the incidents took place, and ensuring safe and secure train journey.
BR detects on average 36 spots in eastern zone and 29 spots in western zone where such kinds of stone throwing incidents are common.
The Ministry of Railway has already sent letters to the deputy commissioners of 12 districts and upazila nirbahi officers of 17 districts asking them to take necessary steps for creating awareness among the people. Besides, the ministry has requested the Cabinet Division to give necessary directives to the deputy commissioners in this regard.
The secretary said different ministries and departments have also sent letters to the agencies concerned to take necessary steps for ensuring the safety of trains and passengers with involving local officials and people including superintendents of police, Imams of mosques and schoolteachers.
The railway minister also sent demi official letter to the district administration on May 9 and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) issued a letter on May 8 to take legal action against the persons responsible for throwing stones at running trains and check these incidents.
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