Thieves cut signal wires to halt Mahalaxmi Express near Salpe, steal two women's jewellery

A major theft took place around midnight on the Mahalaxmi Express, which was travelling from Mumbai to Kolhapur. Near Salpe railway station in Satara district, thieves cut the wires of the signal system, bringing the train to a halt midway. They then entered the coaches and fled after snatching gold jewellery from the necks and hands of two women passengers. Jewellery worth Rs 52,600 in all was stolen. The incident, during the Diwali season, has again raised the question of passenger safety on the railways.

According to available information, the incident took place at midnight on Sunday near Salpe station on the Pune-Miraj railway route. The thieves cut the signal wires, and as a result the Mahalaxmi Express stood still for about 15 minutes. Most passengers were fast asleep at the time. Taking advantage of the halt, the thieves entered coaches S-2, S-3 and S-5. They snatched the gold jewellery of two women seated near the windows and escaped.

The women who lost their jewellery include Sunita Gorakhnath Tupe, who lives in Mumbai, and Surekha Khade of Khopoli. Both were travelling to Kolhapur for a family function. The total value of the stolen jewellery is put at Rs 52,600. It has also emerged that after fleeing with the jewellery, the thieves threw stones at the train, creating an atmosphere of fear among passengers in the coaches.

Railway officials reached the spot on receiving news of the incident. The signal system was repaired, and by 5.15 am the signalling had been restored to normal. Two separate cases have been registered. The case of tampering with the signal system has been registered at the Railway Protection Force (RPF) post in Lonand, while the case of theft of the jewellery has been registered with the Miraj railway police. The police are investigating with the help of a dog squad and a forensic team.

Several aspects are being examined in the investigation. Answers are being sought to how exactly the signal wires were cut, whether the thieves had planned the crime in advance, and whether anyone else is part of the gang. The search for the accused is on.

The incident, in which the train was stopped by cutting signal wires and passengers' jewellery was then stolen inside the coaches, has raised questions about gaps in railway security. Trains are more crowded during festival days. The need to improve security on railway routes, protect the signal system and step up night patrolling is evident. Catching the accused and strengthening passenger safety is now a major challenge for the railway administration and the police.