Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Sep 6: In a shocking incident on Saturday, a female Ticket Examiner (TTE) was attacked with hot ghugni (a chickpea-based dish) while conducting routine ticket checks at Baruipur station in South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.
The incident occurred on the Sealdah South section of Eastern Railway when TTE Pooja Kumari was checking tickets in the women’s compartment of the Baruipur local train, which was stationed at Platform No. 2 of Baruipur Junction.
According to Kumari, a woman passenger and her companion were occupying seats since Subhashgram station, and complaints had been raised by other travelers about their conduct. When the TTE approached them and asked for their tickets, one of the women—Saida Bibi—pretended to comply but instead threw hot ghugni directly at Kumari’s face, causing severe burning, particularly around the eyes.
Despite the sudden pain and distress, Kumari managed to detain the accused and alert authorities. Responding swiftly to her cries for help, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel arrived and arrested Saida Bibi, who was found to be travelling without a valid ticket for her journey up to Baruipur.
“She had a ticket only from Subhashgram to Sealdah,” an RPF officer confirmed. “She had no ticket for travelling to Baruipur, and has now been handed over to the Government Railway Police (GRP).”
Kumari has since lodged a formal complaint with the Baruipur GRP, demanding strict legal action against the attacker.
The incident has sparked concern across the railway sector, especially considering a similar attack occurred just days earlier at Canning Station, where another female TTE, Tanushree Roy, was assaulted by a ticketless passenger who attempted to strangle her on the Down Ballygunge–Canning local train. She was saved by alert co-passengers.
Railway staff unions and passenger welfare groups have called for enhanced security for frontline railway personnel, especially female staff, amid rising incidents of violence during duty.
Authorities are now under pressure to address these repeated assaults and ensure safer working conditions for railway employees.