Train runs over Bengal woman, protestors halt trains

Kolkata: Train movement to and from the terminal Howrah station was stalled on Monday evening as protestors, angered by a train running over a woman, squatted on the track, hurled stones and damaged four trains and injured an assistant driver.

The trouble started after a woman was run over by a suburban local train close to the Howrah station. The woman died from her injuries.

"We tried to put the victim into another suburban train, but the protestors did not allow us. They squatted on the track and stalled train movement of both Eastern and South Eastern Railway," said an official of Howrah station.

A South Eastern Railway spokesman said the empty rake of a train was stoned injuring an assistant driver. Local trains and the Down Mumba-Duranta Express were also damaged.

The Howrah-Amritsar Express was also damaged.

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"A large number of mail, express and suburban locals were stopped in Howrah and nearby trains," said the spokesman.

Minister of State for Railways Adhir Chowdhury alleged that the entire incident was a ploy to discredit his department.

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"We don't want a single person to be run over. That is unfortunate. But what happened later, is nothing but a political conspiracy to show the railway in poor light," said Mr Chowdhury.