Hooghly, 07 August (H.S.): Panic gripped Hooghly railway station on Friday morning after the mutilated body of a railway employee was found on the tracks. The deceased has been identified as Kamal Senapati (53), a Public Works Inspector (PWI) with the Indian Railways. Police are investigating the incident, while questions are being raised over whether prolonged workplace stress may have led to the suspected suicide.
According to sources, Senapati, a resident of Balagarh in Hooghly district, had left his home at around 8 a.m. for work in Chandannagar. However, instead of reaching his workplace, he was run over by a train on the Up Line No. 3 at Hooghly railway station. The impact severed his body into two parts.
Personnel from the Bandel Government Railway Police (GRP) recovered the body and sent it to Chinsurah Imambara District Hospital for post-mortem examination. Colleagues of the deceased later reached the Bandel GRP police station after being informed of the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the death have raised several questions. According to railway colleagues, Senapati was scheduled to report for duty in Chandannagar, but his body was found on the Up line leading towards Bandel, prompting speculation over the sequence of events.
Railway employees and representatives of the Railway Men's Union have alleged that staff shortages have resulted in excessive workloads, leaving employees with little or no leave and, at times, forcing them to remain on duty for extended hours.
Colleagues further alleged that Senapati had been under severe mental pressure in recent days and had reportedly been threatened with suspension. They claimed he had been under considerable emotional distress. However, these allegations have not been independently verified.
The Railway Men's Union has warned of launching protests if the issue of increasing workplace stress is not addressed. Union leaders said they had already brought the matter to the notice of the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM).
The Bandel GRP said that no formal complaint has been lodged so far. The case is under investigation, and police are examining all possible angles to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the death.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
