Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Aug 8: It has come to light with some delay that three passengers of Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Express were drugged on August 3, and their valuables were stolen. A train ticket examiner (TTE), who observed that the three were in a state of stupor, arranged for admitting them into a hospital on the way.

All the three victims of an evil design were natives of Kerala. Two men, aged 58 and 51, as well as a 49-year-old woman, lost jewellery and cash in this incident. However, as they have refused to register an official complaint, their identities have been concealed. However, a report has been submitted to the railways by Konkan Railway, it is learnt.

Rs 22,000 in cash, a golden chain weighing about 33 grams, golden bangles weighing about 30 grams, ATM cards, ID cards etc were robbed from their possession when the passengers, who were travelling to Kerala, were under the influence of drugs.

When Mangala Express reached Panvel station at 9.30 am on August 3, a Konkan Railway TTE named V K Chandavankar boarded the train, When the train reached Roha station, he observed that two passengers occupying berth Nos 50 and 51 of compartment S10 were unconscious, while the woman on beth No. 53 was semi-conscious. The woman, who was questioned, confessed that all the three are relatives, and that they had slipped into a state of unconsciousness after accepting tea offered by some strangers at Nasik station.

The TTE then sent message to the control room of Konkan Railway, and asked railway police, medical staff, and ambulance to be in readiness at Kolad and Chiplun stations. He also used the cell phone of the woman to contact her relatives, asking them to come to Madgaon. However, observing the seriousness of their condition, he convinced the passengers to get down at Chiplun, where they were shifted to hospital with the help of ambulance. They were permitted to travel by train the next day with the help of the same tickets.

Konkan Railway has appreciated TTE, V K Chandavankar, for providing timely medical help to the three passengers who were in serious condition, and saving their lives.