Act of bravery saves teen’s life at Belgachia Metro

KOLKATA: There was high drama at the Belgachia Metro station shortly after noon on Thursday when a Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable risked his life to save a teenaged girl who jumped on the tracks to commit suicide. A Dumdum-bound train was about to enter the platform when the rescue was undertaken. Metro Railway is contemplating to award the constable for this brave act.

From CCTV footage, we could make out that the girl had behaved quite normally after stepping into the platform. She approached the edge of the platform along with other passengers barely a minute before the train was to arrive. The headlight of the train could be seen in the tunnel when she flung herself downward. Constable M Malik didn't bat an eyelid and jumped down after her even as passengers watched with their hearts in their mouths. With seconds to go, he lifted her up to the platform. Others helped him get back to safety before the train crossed the point where the girl had fallen," Metro Railway spokesperson Indrani Banerjee said.

The minor girl was escorted to the station manager's chamber where she broke down and said that she is from Pakur in Birbhum. She claimed that her father had remarried after her mother's death. Her step-mother allegedly ill-treated her and her father looked the other way, she claimed. Metro officials finally handed her over to officials of the Ultadanga police station after a medical check-up.

o curb suicides, Metro has started monitoring live CCTV footage closely when trains approach the platforms. Security personnel are alerted whenever any suspicious movement is spotted. RPF personnel are also posted on platforms to keep a lookout for people who are likely to commit suicide and prevent passengers from getting too close to the tracks before trains arrive. Suicides in the Metro network not only disrupt services and cause severe difficulties to commuters, they also take a toll on the minds of motormen and station staff who have to retrieve the remains from the tracks. Records reveal that more men have attempted suicide in the Metro network of Kolkata.