'Police push vendor out of running train'

Rourkela, Oct 1: A twenty-two-year-old vegetable vendor was killed after two Railway policemen allegedly pushed him out of a running train, police on Wednesday, Oct 1 said.

Rajiv Singh, a resident of Gopabandhu Palli area of Rourkela, was allegedly thrown out of the Saranda Passenger train yesterday near Phatapipe area of Bandhamunda, about 200 metres away from the Rourkela railway station.

He was travelling with vegetables from Jareikela to Rourkela when Havildar Pabitra Naik and an unidentifed constable allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 1,200 as he had not booked his goods. When Rajiv expressed his inability to pay such a huge amount at once, the Havildar allegedly forcefully took out Rs 150 from Rajiv's pocket and pushed him out of the train.

He came under the wheels of the train and one of his legs got severed. He was rushed to the Ispat General Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

Irate local people led by BJP leader Pramila Das gheraoed the Railway Superintendent Police (SRP) office demanding action against the guilty police personnel and a compensation of Rs ten lakh to the family members of the victim.

SRP R K Bal said a case would be registered after an inquiry and action would be taken against the cops if they were found guilty.

On July 2 last a boy, Shankar was also thrown out of the train allegedly by a TTE. The boy lost a hand and a leg but survived.

UNI