Thieves break open parcel van, goods worth lakhs gone

A group of traders waiting at the Lucknow Junction on Wednesday mor ning to unload their goods from the Pushpak Express were shocked to find the train’s parcel van (SLR coach) broken open.

They found that goods worth lakhs were stolen. “The SLR coach was lying open when the train hit the station in the morning. Our goods worth several lakhs were stolen,” said Pradeep Singh, a city-based dealer of electrical goods, who suffered losses to the tune of Rs 6 lakh. Another trader, Vishnu, who too suffered losses alleged that the lethargic approach of the GRP and RPF escorts led to the incident. “It’s a daring act. And I am really surprised why none of the escorts came to know about the theft,” he lamented.

Angry traders approached the GRP, NER to lodge complaint in this regard. Vishnu said this was the second theft after a similar incident on the 24th of this month.

The GRP and RPF personnel too were puzzled by the unique modus operandi of the gang that broke open the goods coach when the train was in motion. “It’s the work of a gang. Thieves have made their way into the goods coach by cutting the wall of the toilet in the passengers’ coach,” said an RPF officer.

The official said it seemed that the thieves were aware of the goods loaded in the parcel coach.

“The search is on for the thieves. We will enhance patrolling in toilets attached with parcel coaches,” said Ranjan Kumar, chowki in-charge RPF, NER.