Death of Young Woman on Indian Train Raises Safety Questions
The tragic death of a young woman from Assam, who was found dead near railway tracks in Andhra Pradesh, has prompted her family to allege murder and question railway safety procedures. The incident has also raised concerns about the response of the Railway Police Force (RPF) after she reported feeling unsafe on the train.
What happened to Himashree Boro?
Himashree Boro, a 21-year-old from Guwahati, Assam, was found dead near railway tracks in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, two days after boarding a train from Visakhapatnam. She had travelled to Visakhapatnam as part of a dance troupe and was returning home alone to sit for an examination.
According to her family, Boro boarded the 22503 Kanniyakumari-Dibrugarh Vivek SF Express at Visakhapatnam at around 12.15 am on October 6. A local acquaintance accompanied her to the station, and CCTV footage shows her boarding the S-2 coach, surrounded by several other passengers.
Family's account and safety concerns
Boro's sister-in-law said that after getting on the train, Boro called her and a friend, expressing discomfort. “There were inebriated men all around, making her feel unsafe,” the sister-in-law said. Boro shared a video of the inside of the coach with her friend before losing contact around 2.30-3 am.
The family contacted the Railway Helpline and shared details of her train. They were told that the RPF was being sent to check on her. “But we never heard back about her being safe. Her body has now been recovered near the railway tracks in Andhra Pradesh itself. Her two bags have been found intact inside the coach,” the sister-in-law said, alleging negligence on the part of the RPF.
Railway authorities' response and investigation
The South Coast Railway, under whose jurisdiction the incident occurred, has initiated an investigation. Preliminary evidence suggests that Boro died from falling off the train, an official statement said. The RPF at Srikakulam Road station attended to a complaint on the 'Rail Madad' grievance portal regarding alleged misbehaviour with a woman passenger on October 6. They searched the general and sleeper coaches but could not trace her.
On further investigation, CCTV footage at Visakhapatnam station showed Boro boarding the S-2 coach. Srikakulam RPF found the body of an unknown passenger near the railway line between Ponduru and Dusi sections on Wednesday, later identified as Boro. The body was taken to Government RIMS Hospital at Srikakulam for post-mortem.
“The circumstances of the incident are under inquiry. As per preliminary enquiry by GRP, Palasa, it is prima facie suspected that the deceased might have fallen from the running train,” the statement said. Both GRP, Palasa, and RPF, Srikakulam, have registered separate cases.
Ongoing inquiry and family support
An inquiry is being carried out by the authorities concerned, including taking statements from passengers in the coach and the person seen dropping off the girl. CCTV footage at Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam is being checked to identify persons allegedly involved or who are aware of the incident.
“Necessary help is also being rendered to the family members of the deceased. RPF authorities of NFR are also providing all possible assistance, and coordinating with the RPF and GRP authorities of South Coast Railway as well as the state police departments of Assam and Andhra Pradesh in this regard,” the statement added.
Local MLA Tapan Das, visiting the bereaved family, said the body would be brought back by the state government. “Post-mortem has to be done there. After that, a flight schedule will have to be worked out as there are no direct flights to Guwahati. We are coordinating and trying to ensure that the body can be brought back at the earliest without any family member having to go to claim it,” he said.
Students of B Barooah College in Guwahati, Boro's alma mater, staged a protest, demanding a thorough investigation into the incident.
What safety measures are being questioned?
The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of the RPF's response to complaints of misbehaviour on trains. Despite a complaint being lodged on the 'Rail Madad' portal, the RPF's search of the specified coaches did not locate Boro. The family's allegations of negligence highlight potential gaps in the railway police's ability to ensure passenger safety, particularly for women travelling alone.
What are the next steps in the investigation?
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities checking CCTV footage and taking statements from passengers. The post-mortem report will be crucial in determining the exact cause of death. The state government is coordinating to bring Boro's body back to Guwahati for the funeral. The outcome of the inquiry will be awaited by the family and the public.