Police opened fire as at least three passengers of the Secunderabad-bound Narayanadri Express were robbed of their gold ornaments worth about rs 1.68 lakh at Raparla in Prakasam district in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.
Miscreants struck at three sleeper coaches after pulling the alarm chain and bringing the train to a halt. APSP and civil constables on escort duty opened three rounds of fire in the air, Ongole General Railway Police Sub-Inspector Ramanaiah said.
One Sujatha, Anitha and P.L.Swamy from Hyderabad had lodged a complaint after losing their valuables worth 56 grams. One of the women was relieved of her ‘mangalasutura’ before the miscreants escaped under the cover of darkness with the booty, the SI said, adding that the passengers were returning after visiting the Lord Venkateswara temple on the occasion of Ugadi.
GRP Circle Inspector Venkateswara Rao, who rushed to the spot, said police escorts had been provided in all important trains. He advised the people, particularly women, not to sleep by keeping their heads by the side of coach window.
''Patrolling has been intensified as miscreants strike at train passengers mainly during summer when they travel by keeping the windows open'', he said.
