A tragic incident at Hooghly railway station has sent shockwaves through the railway community after the mutilated body of a 53-year-old railway employee was discovered on the tracks on Friday morning. The deceased, identified as Kamal Senapati, served as a Public Works Inspector (PWI) for Indian Railways. While initial suspicions point towards suicide, authorities are yet to confirm the exact cause of death as investigations remain ongoing.
- Deceased: Kamal Senapati (53), PWI at Indian Railways.
- Location: Hooghly station, Up line number 3.
- Current Status: Body sent to Chuchura Imambara District Hospital for post-mortem.
- Investigation: Bandel GRP is probing the matter from all angles.
Details of the Incident
Kamal Senapati, a resident of the Balagarh (Bandel) area, left his home around 8:00 AM on Friday intending to reach his workplace in Chandannagar. However, instead of reaching his office, he was tragically struck by a train on the Up line at Hooghly station. The impact was severe, resulting in his body being severed into two parts. Upon receiving the news, Bandel GRP officials arrived at the scene, recovered the remains, and transported them for a post-mortem examination.
Workplace Pressure and Union Allegations
The incident has sparked significant unrest among railway staff and the Railway Men’s Union. Colleagues reported that Senapati was scheduled to work in Chandannagar, raising questions as to why he was found on the tracks heading toward Bandel. Fellow employees have alleged that the department is facing a severe staff shortage, leading to an unsustainable workload. They claim that many employees are forced to work for nearly 24 hours at a time without adequate rest.
Furthermore, union representatives have alleged that Senapati was under immense mental stress due to threats of suspension from his superiors in recent days. While these claims of harassment have not been independently verified, the Railway Men’s Union has warned of potential protests if the issue of mental pressure on staff is not addressed. They stated that the matter had previously been brought to the attention of the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM).
As of now, the Bandel GRP has confirmed that no formal complaint has been filed regarding the alleged harassment. The police are continuing their investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate loss of life.