Solo Woman Passenger’s Purse Snatched Inside AC Coach on Howrah-Jamalpur Express; Railway Security Under Scrutiny
Sahibganj: Serious concerns over passenger safety on Indian Railways have resurfaced after a solo female traveler reported that her handbag—containing a gold necklace, passport, and vital identification documents—was snatched while she was asleep inside a reserved air-conditioned coach. According to a news report by News24, the incident occurred aboard the 13071 Howrah–Jamalpur Express near Sahibganj station in Jharkhand.
Late-Night Snatching Inside Darkened Coach
The passenger, identified as Shruti Mishra, was traveling alone from Howrah to Bhagalpur in Coach A1 (AC 2-Tier) on berth number 51. Sharing her ordeal on the social media platform X alongside a video recorded inside the compartment, Mishra stated that the theft took place between 2:30 AM and 3:00 AM when the coach lights were turned off and passengers were asleep.
Despite holding onto her bag while resting, an unidentified intruder entered the coach, forcefully pulled the purse from her grip, and escaped before she could react. According to her account, the thief jumped off the train onto the non-platform side and fled into the nearby forested area in the dark. She noted that chasing the suspect outside the train in an isolated area could have put her personal safety at even greater risk.
Multiple Compartments Targeted Amid Absence of Guards
In her viral video statement, Mishra alleged that hers was not an isolated case during that journey. She claimed that passengers in four to five other compartments also reported similar thefts around the same time, pointing to a coordinated group targeting sleeping travelers during the night halt or slow-moving stretch near Sahibganj.
Questioning the accountability of railway authorities, she pointed out that neither personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) nor Government Railway Police (GRP) guards were visible anywhere near the coach when the snatching occurred. Travelers paying premium fares for AC compartments expect basic security, she emphasized, asking who bears responsibility when reserved coaches remain unguarded at night.
Growing Calls for Stronger Onboard Vigilance
The video quickly gained traction online, prompting widespread criticism from daily commuters and solo travelers. Many social media users urged railway officials to increase night patrolling in reserved coaches, install functional CCTV cameras inside compartments, and ensure strict access control at station stops. Passengers facing similar emergencies are also advised to immediately alert authorities via the RailMadad helpline or dial 139 for rapid onboard assistance.
Source: News report by News24 (YouTube) and passenger statements shared on social media. https://youtu.be/i3fRlCEP2ck?si=qgEZ7xl8fN0Exqab
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