Mentally challenged youth climbs atop Pawan Exp

Prayagraj: The Railway Protection Force (RPF), Naini on Monday not only saved the life of a mentally challenged youth who had climbed atop a railway engine, but also averted a major mishap by timely cutting the power supply to the overhead equipment (OHE). As soon as the power supply was cut, the RPF personnel safely brought down the youth from the engine.
RPF said the youth climbed the engine of the Pawan Express (11061-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Jaynagar) when it stopped at the junction on Monday morning.
RPF sub-inspector VK Tiwari, who handled the emergency situation, said: “On Monday morning, during the stoppage of Pawan Express at platform number four of Naini Junction, a youth who is said to be mentally challenged, climbed on the engine of the train. Identified as Lorit, 19, the youth was going from Pune to Rasda, Ballia along with his elder brother Santosh.”
Seeing the youth climb atop the engine, RPF and GRP personnel on duty rushed to the spot. They first cut the power of the OHE wire following which attempts were made to convince Lorit to come down. When he did not agree, the security personnel brought him down, forcibly.
It was learnt that Lorit was travelling along with his elder brother Santosh Yadav, a native of Rasra, Ballia. Both of them stay and work in Pune and Sontosh was taking his brother for medical check-up he (Lorit) was mentally challenged.
Santosh said, “My brother is mentally ill and is being treated by a doctor of Rasra. On Monday, as the train number 11061 Pawan Express stopped at Naini station, Lorit climbed on top of the engine and took off his clothes. However, taking timely action the RPF personnel on duty saved my brother.”
RPF sources said he even tried to touch the OHE by lifting the pento (used to supply power to the train engine). After a lot of effort, some people caught Lorit from behind, after which the RPF and vendors brought him down by climbing on the engine from all sides. During this, the train stood at Naini station for about 22 minutes.
RPF Naini said that the youth was questioned but after seeing his medical records, they were allowed to go.