“When Will Women Travel Without Fear?”: Attempted Assault on Rajdhani Express Sparks Outrage Over Safety

Serious concerns over women’s safety in long-distance trains have resurfaced after an alleged attempt to assault a woman passenger aboard the Dibrugarh-bound 12424 Rajdhani Express.

The woman, who was travelling from Guwahati to Tinsukia, alleged that the incident took place in Coach No. 5 (AC 2-tier) while she was asleep in her allotted berth.

According to the victim, the accused — who was seated in a different compartment — had been staring at her inappropriately for a prolonged period. “I travel two to three times every month by train, as I live in Guwahati while my husband works in Tinsukia. The accused person had been looking at me with a dirty gaze for quite some time. I informed a co-passenger in my compartment about it, and he said he had noticed it too. He asked me to alert him if anything went wrong,” she told reporters.

The incident reportedly occurred around 10:30 pm after dinner. The victim said she had drawn the curtain around her berth and the lights were switched off when she sensed someone touching her.

“After a few moments, I felt a hand on my neck and another trying to cover my mouth. Sensing something was wrong, I screamed. The man in my compartment immediately switched on the lights. The accused then pleaded to forgive him,” she recounted.

Railway Police personnel promptly reached the spot after the alarm was raised and apprehended the accused. The victim later lodged a formal complaint at Lumding railway station.

Expressing her anger and distress, the woman questioned the safety measures in place for female passengers. “When will women’s safety be guaranteed? When will women be able to travel alone without fear?” she asked.

The incident has once again sparked debate over security arrangements for women travelling alone on premium long-distance trains, including the Rajdhani Express, and raised calls for stricter monitoring and enhanced vigilance in coaches during night hours.

Railway authorities have not yet issued a detailed statement regarding the matter.

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