Five Chhath devotees run over and killed by train in Samastipur district

Law Kumar Mishra

Patna: Five devotees returning after  performing Chhath puja were run over and killed on the spot by Down Swatantra Senani Express near  Rambhadrapur railway station in Samastipur district of Bihar on November 7  morning.

GRP inspector of Samastipur Binod Ram said the devotees were returning from a pond which was converted into makeshift ghat for the Chhath worshippers .They were crossing the railway track on Samastipur-Darbhanga section of East central Railways(ECR)  after offering morning and final day oblation (Arghya) to the Sun God. Eyewitnesses said the train did not sound any whistle to warn the devotees and five including three women, a male and a child were run over and killed on the spot. Three others were injured.
Agitated over the tragic incident, other devotees started agitation on the track demanding summoning of divisional railway manager(DRM)  from Samastipur. Normal movement of trains between Samastipur-Darbhanga has been affected after the incident.