Following an incident where Border Security Force (BSF) personnel declined to enter a reportedly substandard special train intended for their deployment during the Amarnath Yatra, the Indian Railways initiated disciplinary measures. On Wednesday, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that four officials accountable for this oversight were placed under suspension, with immediate arrangements made for a fresh set of coaches.
The event revolved around approximately 1,200 BSF soldiers, brought in from various northeast regions, planning to move from Udaipur in Tripura to Jammu Tawi. The journey entailed picking up personnel at several stops spanning through Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal. Yet, when they inspected the carriages made available on June 9th, the BSF soldiers allegedly declined boarding due to sanitation issues.
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Clips showing the dilapidated and untidy interior of the train spread across social media platforms, leading to significant backlash. These videos quickly gained traction, which led to immediate measures taken by the Railway Ministry. Initially, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) refuted these claims, asserting that the carriage featured in the footage wasn’t designated for BSF usage and required maintenance work.
At the same time, the Ministry of Railways recognized the gravity of the situation. As stated in an official statement, three senior section engineers and a coach depot officer from the Alipurduar Rail Division were placed on suspension due to their neglect. Additionally, a substitute train equipped with appropriate amenities was provided to guarantee a pleasant journey for the soldiers.
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Minister Vaishnaw stressed that the respect of security forces is of utmost importance and assured that such oversights will not be accepted at any level. He confirmed that corrective steps had been taken the same day the issue surfaced.
These BSF units have been deployed as part of the central government’s extra security measures for the forthcoming Amaranth Yatra, set to commence on July 3 in Jammu and Kashmir.