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| Right: Accused Constable Chetan Singh |
On Monday morning, a Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable, identified as Chetan Singh, allegedly fired 12 rounds from his automatic service weapon on board the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Superfast Express, killing his senior, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Tikaram Meena, and three other passengers.
Singh was later detained by the railway police after he got down at Borivali and surrendered at the Bhayandar Police Station. The incident occurred around 5 am when the train was reaching the Vaitarna Railway Station, approximately two hours away from Mumbai.
Although the official cause of the firing is yet to be ascertained, a fight had allegedly broken out following an argument over communities. According to P C Sinha, Inspector General cum Principal Chief Security Commissioner, Western Railway, Singh is a short-tempered person who suffers from mental health issues. Singh had just returned from leave and was put on escort duty. Singh and Meena had boarded the train along with two other constables as a part of the escort party to provide security on the train.
Singh fired on ASI Meena from his ARM Rifle first inside the B-5 coach and then shot at three other passengers. The bodies of the victims were retrieved by GRP and RPF personnel when the train reached Borivali.
An investigation is underway to determine the exact reason behind the incident.
Western Railways said compensations have been announced for the family of ASI Tikaram Meena – Rs 15 lakhs will be given from Railway Surksha Kalyan Nidhi, Rs 20,000 for funeral expenses, Rs 15 lakhs as death-cum-retirement gratuity, and Rs 65,000 as general insurance scheme.
Tikaram Meena is survived by a wife and two children – a 25-year-old daughter named Pooja, and a 35-year-old son. Both of them are married. He also has an 80-year-old mother. Meena was due to retire in 2025.
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