Train journey that poses threat for women

The attack against Asha. a thirty-two-year-old passenger in the women's compartment of the Guruvayur-Punalur passenger train at Mulanthuruthy near Thrippunithura, reminded us of another tragedy that happened ten years ago. At that time, a young woman named Soumya met with a tragic death after being tortured by a regular criminal on trains. As the train was approaching Shoranur, the assailant pushed Soumya down and subdued her. The tragedy that happened to the young woman at Mulanthuruthy on Wednesday was similar. The woman, a passenger in an unoccupied women's compartment, was allegedly threatened by the attacker who pointed a screwdriver towards her neck. Following this, he snatched her jewelry and brutally assaulted her before she
jumped out of the train to escape from him. The incident that happened in the daylight shows how dangerous it is for women passengers to travel by train. It is a tragedy that such atrocities cannot be prevented, even though the authorities and society are well aware of the plight of women who have to travel with their lives in their hands.

No one can tell what type of people are boarding the train. But regular annoyances on trains can be detected at a glance by the railway police and other staff. It is claimed that strict safety checks are being carried out on all trains due to the COVID pandemic. The attack on a young woman in Mulanthuruthy proves that the authorities' claim that the railway police have a permanent presence in women's compartments is also incorrect. The most serious fact of the incident is the information that the suspected assailant is a regular criminal on trains. Based on the information given by the woman, the police, have identified the accused. The assailant is also accused of assaulting a train passenger in the Kollam section in 2007. He is also facing several other charges, including temple robberies.

The fact that such a person dared to commit yet another atrocity on the train in broad daylight clearly shows that he is not afraid of law and order and punishment. Moreover, he may be confident that he can escape even if he gets caught by the police.

Authorities have been making several claims regarding the travel safety of women. It is only when horrible events like this happen that one realizes the emptiness of these claims. Everyone knows that women are not safe, not only on trains but also on crowded buses. Many such atrocities go unreported as most people opt not to speak out. Another strange fact is that the regular attackers on the trains are getting help from many centers, including the police. We must not forget that people and money had flowed to the Supreme Court to argue for Govindachami, the accused in the Soumya case. The only way for women to escape from such persons to some extent is by becoming more careful and cautious while traveling. Women's compartments with fewer passengers are often a danger to women. It is always safer for women to be at the general compartment so that they can at least get some help from fellow travelers.