Alert RPF cop saves passenger from clutches of criminals

BHUBANESWAR: A railway protection force (RPF) staff saved a passenger from the clutches of criminals at Bhubaneswar railway station early on Tuesday. Two among three criminals were arrested, while the third one fled from the spot fearing security personnel.

RPF sources said the ruffians were trying to run away after snatching gold ring and other valuables from the passenger taking rest near old passenger reservation system (PRS) counter. When the passenger showed resistance, the anti-socials tried to strangulate him. RPF head constable Tara Kanta Mahapatra, who was in plain cloth, saved the man by nabbing one of the criminals.

The victim was Avishek Banerjee, 27, from Mongolkote in Bardhaman district of West Bengal. He came here to appear railway examination. But he returned home in Dhauli Express without appearing the examination scheduled at 7.15 am on Tuesday.

“I had marked suspicious behavior of the criminals before the incident. When they slept in front of the Food Plaza in the station, I had waited there till they wake up at around 2 am. I followed them till the old PRS and stood there for half-an-hour to keep tab on their activities. At around 2.30 am, I heard screaming of a youth. I informed my two other colleagues over phone to come to the spot and immediately went to help the youth,” said Mohapatra.

He soon captured two criminals with two hands and threatened them not to flee from the spot. “The ruffians were trying to strangulate Avishek. Gathering my all strength, I captured the duo and told them about my identity. The duo did not attack me, but the third one hit my head and fled from the spot. My colleagues reached in time and caught the two people,” he added.

Avishek said he reached Bhubaneswar on Monday evening to attend the railway examination. “One of the three people came to me and asked the time. When I started unlocking the phone to see the time, they snatched it. Another one took my bag. I followed them and shouted. Suddenly the RPF man came to the spot and nabbed the two criminals. They had a scuffle for a few minutes,” he added. RPF assistant security commissioner Alok Jena said, “Due to Mohapatra’s alertness, the passenger’s life and valuables could be saved. He is undergoing treatment at divisional railway hospital at Khurda for the head injury. His condition is stable.” The RPF cops recovered most of the belongings of the victim. The criminals, Santosh Moharana, 27, and Alok Barik, 24, were handed over to government railway police, Bhubaneswar, for further action. On May 5, a criminal had robbed a bride travelling in Konark Express and got down near the station. RPF and GRP had jointly conducted a raid in a slum and recovered gold ornaments and other articles from the robber. The girl was coming with the ornaments for her marriage.