Journey in RMS Compartment

JOURNEYS & JOURNEYS – 37

Journey in RMS Compartment – 2

It was probably during the 1990s. There was a meeting arranged at Ranchi(Bihar) and I was to participate in the same. I had boarded the night train from Delhi which will reach Patna at about 10.00 hours. After a meeting there, along with Bihar Circle Union leaders will go to Ranchi by the night train starting at about 19.00 hours.

At about 06.00 hours in the morning the train stopped at a very small station. Even after a long time the train did not start. Passengers got out, started enquiring why the train ws not proceeding. We were told that two persons have been murdered / killed in the rail track somewhere near Patna and all the trains in the area,including  Patna are stopped and protest demonstrations are going on. There was very less chance of the train proceeding to Patna for some time. There was not even a tea stall in the station. There was a small road connected to the station and we saw a small tea stall about half a mile away on that road. Along with some other passengers went to the shop and had tea and biscuits.Within no time all the snacks etc.in the shop was over.

No train was coming from Patna side or going to Patna. At about 14.00 hours , the train started and was moving very slowly, because there was doubt about sabotage on the tracks. Then we saw some trains coming from Patna side. At last at about 18.00 hours, the  train reached Patna Junction.

I have never seen such crowd in any station in my life before or later. There were trains in all the 8 or 9 platforms.There was not even an inch free in the platforms and it was even difficult to get down in to the platform.It was number 4 or 5 platform.  Usually our comrades will be in the platform waiting for my arrival, but this time it was impossible for them to come to the platform not only because there was no way of intimating them since mobile services has not started so far, but even if they knew, they could not come to the platform because of the heavy rush.

Some how, I got down with my suit case and tried to proceed to the first platform  where RMS office will be there, where I can contact our comrades over phone.Inch by inch I was able to move towards the steps and then to the overbridge to proceed  to the first platform. There was so much rush and pushing between the passengers going this side and that side that I was pressed in between people without even able to breathe.I was pushed to the side of the overbridge. For a second I thought of throwing the suitcase out and jumping on the train standing still on the track through the side of the overbridge and save myself. Fortunately before I could proceed with my drastic action , a miracle happened. A big sturdy railway porter with a lot of luggage on his head just overtook me and was going forward and I took the opportunity to walk just behind him closely.This way, I was able to reach the first platform closely following him.

I went to the RMS office. Coms.B.P.Singh, Circle Secretary, Shakuntala Gond, President, S.R.Sharma and other comrades were waiting there not knowing what to do in my absence. There was no time to take bath or wash as the train to Ranchi will be leaving in a short time from Platform No. 8 or 9. Hastily had tea and some snacks and we all proceeded to the platform from where the train starts. Somehow we reached. The train was full as usual.

Our Comrades told that it will be better to travel in the RMS compartment. RMS comrades were also happy as they can discuss union matters. In addition to the seats, there were four sleeping berths in the compartment. Two berths were occupied by the family of the RMS Superintendent. Other two berths were given to us. One was taken by me. Due to extreme exhaustion I prepared to sleep.  

At this stage a police constable came and asked the RMS employees to provide a berth for their Inspector to sleep. Employees told that all the berths are occupied by RMS employees. He pointed out at us and said that we are not RMS employees. But the RMS workers stood to their position.Within minutes , the police constable came along with an RPF constable. Since the RMS workers knew the RPF constable he did not intervene and told the police constable that we are only RMS workers.

The train started moving and we thought that the problem was over. But when the train stopped in the next station , the police constable  came again and blocked the entry to the compartment. He has brought the TTI as well as the Police Inspector to create further trouble. Since we felt that it will create problems for the RMS workers, we silently got down from the compartment by the door on the opposite side and got in to an ordinary compartment from that side.( Later we were told by the RMS staff, that when the TTI, RPF  etc. checked, they could not find anybody except the Superintendent’s family and were put to shame.).

We somehow managed in the congested ordinary compartment , and reached Ranchi safely.

V A N Namboodiri  07.11.2024