Women personnel of the BSF keep vigil near the India-Pakistan border ahead of the Amarnath Yatra, in Jammu, on June 3.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Four railway officials were suspended after a run-down train arrived in Tripura on June 9 to transport 1,200 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel from Tripura to Jammu and Kashmir, where they are to be deployed for security arrangements during the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.
A BSF personnel had posted several videos on social media on Tuesday (June 10, 2025), which showed the train in a precarious condition. The video showed garbage strewn around in the non-air-conditioned train, the toilets were dirty and unusable, the roof had collapsed at multiple points, the seats were worn out and cockroaches were milling around on the floor.
Railway officials said another special train was being arranged for the journey of the jawans.
The Railway Ministry said in a statement that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had taken serious note of the incident involving the deployment of an “unsuitable/old train” for BSF personnel going for duty to Kashmir from Tripura.
“In response to the lapse, four officials from the Alipurduar Division have been placed under immediate suspension,” it said.
The suspended officials include the Coaching Depot Officer of Alipurduar and three Senior Section Engineers of the Alipurduar Division.
“The Railway Minister has made it clear that the dignity and comfort of security forces are of the utmost priority and that such negligence will not be tolerated at any level,” it added.
A special train from Agartala is now being arranged exclusively for BSF personnel, with full attention to their convenience and honour, it said.
“The Ministry of Railways has also ordered a detailed inquiry into the entire incident. All efforts are being made to ensure that such lapses do not recur in future,” the statement said.
A BSF official said the train had scheduled multiple stops on its journey from Tripura to Kashmir. The jawans refused to board the train after the poor condition of the train was flagged.
“The railway authorities were informed that the BSF personnel will not be able to board the train as it was unworthy of travel. They acknowledged the mistake and agreed to send another train,” said the BSF official.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has sanctioned the deployment of more than 52,000 Central armed police force (CAPF) personnel for the Amarnath Yatra, which commences on July 3. As many as 581 companies, each comprising 90-100 personnel, will be deployed for the security of pilgrimage which concludes on August 9.
Published – June 11, 2025 11:42 pm IST