Cases of commuters getting hurt in such incidents have increased this year. _DNA_ tries to find out the reason behind it and how it can be stopped. Thane resident Pushpendra Yashpal Kumar,

an assistant manager with Indian Overseas Bank (Worli branch), lost vision in his right eye after a boy flung a stone at him when he was on a Kalyan-bound local, on September 3. The

25-year-old was standing near the door in the first class compartment of the overcrowded train when the incident took place between Vikhroli and Kanjurmarg stations.  Pushpendra was

administered first-aid at Gokul hospital in Mulund. However, since the injury was severe, colleagues rushed him to Wavikar eye hospital in Thane, where an emergency operation was performed

the railway tracks and rehabilitate the slum-dwellers,” Pushpendra said, adding that he had spent more than Rs35,000 on treatment. He has sought compensation from Central Railway. But

Pushpendra is not the only victim. The railway police reported 16 similar cases till September 30 this year, where commuters have either lost vision or hurt their eyes in stone-pelting. In

2009, nine cases were reported. Senior division security commandant PC Sinha, RPF, Central Railway, said, “Whenever we received such complaints, we intensify foot-patrolling in that area to

curb such incidents.” Shamlee Bhoumik, a member of the Mumbai Railway Suburban Passengers’ Association, said, “RPF and GRP personnel should jointly patrol the tracks to prevent such

incidents.” Sriniwas Mudgerikar, CPRO, Central Railway, said, “We will take up the issue during a joint meeting of top railway officials, RPF and GRP officials and officer-bearers of

passengers’ associations soon and devise ways to ensure the safety and security of commuters.” Dilip Gore, senior inspector, Kurla railway police station, said, “We have often raised the

issue at mohalla committee and womens’ vigilance committee meetings. We have also urged members of these committees to visit slums near the tracks and create an awareness about why such

incidents must be stopped.” HAVE DEPLOYED COPS FOR SAFETY There is no doubt that stone-pelting has increased over time. We have surveyed vulnerable areas where stone-pelting is frequent and

found that on the western tracks, areas between Mahim and Bandra are vulnerable. Therefore, we have deployed government railway police personnel for the safety of commuters. We also have a

helpline (23004000), where people can report such incidents. We have posters in every coach to spread awareness about the helpline. We have also started fencing along the tracks at

vulnerable areas. Some women reported that between Jogeshwari and Goregaon, the ladies special trains are unsafe. We will take action soon. _Sharad Chandrayan_, Western Railway’s chief

spokesperson SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION ASAP There are many cases of stone-pelting in the city. People often don’t even realise that a small particle has gone in to their eye and how it can

cause a grave injury later. Such incidents can result in injury, and/or rupture of the eyeball. Despite the injury, people tend to ignore such incidents thinking their eye will be fine in a

few days. It’s best to consult a specialist immediately, before drawing any conclusion or dismissing it as trivial. In worst cases, it can lead to complete blindness. If one is hurt in the

eye by a stone or any particle, you should  cover the eye with a pad or a shield. Then, immediately visit a local eye specialist. _Harshvardhan Ghorpode_, ophthalmologist, Fortis Hiranandani

Hospital IT’S REGULAR WITH THE LADIES SPECIAL TRAIN I used to travel by the ladies special train, but now I am too scared because I have seen that it is an easy target for hooligans. There

is frequent stone-pelting and chain-snatching between Jogeshwari and Goregaon stations. About 15 days back, when I was at the door of the ladies special, somebody tried to snatch my purse.

Luckily, held on to my bag tightly. I immediately went and informed the railway police personnel at the station about the incident but he took my complaint casually and  didn’t take action.

The culprits usually throw stones before snatching commuters’ valuables. _Priyanka Gujjar_, Kandivli EVERYTHING IS THROWN, EVEN COW DUNG I have experienced stone-throwing when I travelled

home during Holi. During the festive season, people get carried away and don’t understand the consequences. They don’t care about others who get affected by their actions. I was near the

window when some children started throwing cow dung on passengers. It was quite disgusting as the train was soon stinking. Along with it, small stones were hurled at us. All train windows

must have iron railings. People should avoid hanging out of trains. We can work towards a solution and spread awareness.  _Abhishek Raj_, Malad OFFENDERS DON’T REALISE THE INJURY THEY CAUSE

  It’s really unfortunate that commuters have to be on guard and try not be victims of stone-pelting. I have seen children throwing water balloons at trains and BEST buses, especially during

Holi. Women are easy targets. The culprits don’t  realise the damage they cause. It’s difficult to even catch these people as they escape from the spot and it’s difficult to track them down

later. The railway authorities should check areas that are more vulnerable and probably have some railing to protect the commuters. It’s sad that a person is injured grievously without any

reason. _Antara Telore_, Bhayander IT’S NOT EASY TO IDENTIFY AND CATCH THE CULPRITS I have not yet come across such incidents but I have heard from friends who have faced the problem. The

authorities have taken a few steps like windows of all coaches are protected with iron railings. There are also police personnel in ladies compartments at night. However, some areas are

still prone to such incidents. It’s more common during festivals, when people tend to get involved in such activities for fun without understanding the consequences. Also, it’s difficult to

catch anyone as it’s not easy to identity the culprits. _Arun Dasan_, Andheri HEAVILY GUARDED TRACKS WITH ‘NO TRESPASSING’ NEEDED One must try to understand the hapless situation the

government is stuck with. The number of people travelling by train is way more than the capacity so they end up hanging out. This makes them more prone to getting hit by stones. There is no

set solution but the authorities should take some steps. Heavily guarded tracks, no crossing tracks or trespassing and heavy fines if found guilty, are a few steps which can be taken,

especially in areas which have a high number of cases. People should try not to hang out of trains and risk their lives. It’s sad to hear about accidents on railway tracks. _Sourabh

Goswami_, Andheri PROSECUTE OFFENDERS IN PUBLIC TO CREATE AWARENESS I have been fortunate not to be a victim of this hideous act, but a friend suffered a serious head injury due to this. The

authorities must install closed circuit television cameras at signal posts and monitor activities. They should catch those responsible and subject them to severe punishment. In fact, they

should do it in public to create fear and awareness among people. Another option could be that once the offender is caught, the locality where he stays should be fined. Thus, other people

will start being vigilant about miscreants, as no one would like to pay for someone else’s mistake. _Reby Abraham_, Sion ONLY COMMUTERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED AT STATIONS I have witnessed

stone-pelting while travelling. It happens in a fraction of a second. By the time we realise that a stone has hit us, it’s too late. As this usually happens on fast trains, there is hardly

any time to notice the culprit. I have observed that during festivals, such incidents increases as those days are the most appropriate for mischief. Also, young boys gather and indulge in

such activities to have ‘fun’. The authorities can’t be blamed as a station is an open area so it’s difficult to keep a control. The best way to avoid it is that the trains’ doors must

closed and only those with a valid ticket or pass should be allowed on railway premises. _Pradeep Dhanagar_, Jogeshwari COMMUTERS SHOULDN’T PAY HEED TO SLUM-DWELLERS Young boys throwing

stones at commuters is common. This is basically because of two reasons. Firstly, to snatch a commuter’s valuables like a bag or a cellphone. Secondly, it’s in response to commuters’

whistling or any form of teasing from a train. Rather than the government taking action, it’s people who should be extremely careful. We should not seek the attention of slum-dwellers while

we are in a train. For a long stretch of tracks, it’s almost impossible to deploy police. If we take care of certain things we can avoid stone-pelting. It’s preferable to keep our bags and

other valuables inside, so that hooligans don’t attempt to attack commuters. _Reena Singh_, Kanjurmarg