Death on railway track: locals stage protest

A woman and a boy were reportedly run over by a train while they were crossing the track at Gopalapatnam on Tuesday.

Narasamma, 47, and Mohan, 4, of Kothapalem were crossing the track when they were run over by the Secunderabad-bound Visakha Express.

The death of the boy evoked anger from people living in the nearby areas and they squatted on the track and held up trains in protest.

The Samata Express, Palasa - Visakhapatnam passenger, Visakhapatnam – Palasa DMU, Korba-Ernakulam-Patna Express and a goods train were all delayed due to the protest.

The protesters demanded that compensation be given to the kin of the victims and construction of a foot overbridge for the benefit of residents of colonies living on the other side of the track.

Divisional Railway Manager N. Kashinath responded favourably to the demand for construction of the foot overbridge but said that no compensation could be paid as it was trespass of Railway premises.

Government Railway Police Inspector J. Murali said the protesters gave up after getting the assurance on construction of the bridge.