|
7.42 AM
Sabarmati Express, packed with Ram sevaks coming back from Ayodhya,
slows to a halt at the Godhra railway station. Passengers leave
the coaches to stretch their legs and to have breakfast on the platform.
|
7.43 AM
According to an eyewitness, a young man deliberately shoulders a Ram
sevak sipping tea. There is an exchange of words. It gets serious
as more people join in the altercation. |
7.44 AM
The youth gesticulates to some friends. Soon stones start raining
on some bogies, including S-6, a second-class compartment. Ram sevaks
pick up stones and retaliate. |
|
8.03 AM
Over 500 people attack bogies S-6, S-7 and S-8 with stones, swords
and crowbars. Others join in with acid bombs. |
8.09 AM
The attackers use crowbars to break open the window grills of S-6
and throw petrol and chemicals inside. Flames engulf the bogie, which
has mainly women and children. |
8.17 AM
A fire tender arrives but is prevented from reaching the burning train
by the mob. Soon over 50 policemen come, fire in the air, burst teargas
shells and disperse the attackers, who run towards a garage. |
8.25 AM
Ram sevaks ask RPF personnel, now at the scene, to approach the garage.
When they refuse, Ram sevaks break down the door. The miscreants escape. |
CURRENT
ISSUE MARCH 11, 2002
){kind=link}