Tragic Death of Assam Student Sparks Outrage After Safety Concerns Aboard Train

A 20-year-old college student from Assam was discovered dead near railway tracks in Andhra Pradesh, raising serious questions about her safety during train travel. Himashree Boro, who had been traveling alone from Visakhapatnam to Guwahati to participate in a dance competition, had voiced her fears to family members regarding the behavior of drunken men on the train.

The unsettling incident unfolded on Tuesday when Boro, who boarded the Kanyakumari-Dibrugarh Vivek Express around 12:15 AM, reached out to her loved ones, expressing discomfort in a coach filled with unruly passengers. The last known communication from her was a video shared with her family, after which her phone became unreachable around 3 AM. Concerned relatives contacted the railway helpline, where they were assured that Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel would check on her.

However, Boro’s lifeless body was found more than 24 hours later, near the railway tracks in Tekkali, Srikakulam district. While railway police speculate that she may have fallen from the moving train, her family strongly believes foul play was involved, suggesting she may have been murdered. In response to the tragic news, the police have initiated a case under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, related to suspicious deaths.

The incident has ignited protests among students, particularly from the B Barooah College Students’ Union, demanding a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Boro’s demise. They are calling for accountability and improved safety measures for passengers traveling on Indian trains, especially considering the distressing claims made by Boro before her death.

Boro’s tragic end highlights the ongoing concerns regarding safety in public transport in India, particularly for women traveling alone. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about the responsibilities of railway authorities in ensuring the safety of their passengers and how incidents of harassment and violence can be effectively addressed.

Source: scroll.in