Overview
- In the early hours of Monday, more than seven unidentified people allegedly pulled the emergency chain on the Chennai–Vijayawada (Circar/Sarkar) Express, bringing the train to a halt near Appikatla in Bapatla district.
- The assailants reportedly targeted sleeping female passengers in coaches 3 and 6 and tried to snatch gold and valuables, prompting passengers and escort staff to raise the alarm.
- Railway escort personnel, the RPF and local Armed Reserve confronted the suspects and fired nine rounds during the pursuit, after which the suspects jumped off the train and fled into nearby fields toward the Bapatla–Guntur road.
- Two bags believed to belong to the suspects were recovered, one person has been detained in Bapatla for questioning, and police have registered a case while reviewing CCTV and taking passenger statements.
- Authorities have deployed multiple special teams for a manhunt and investigators say this is the second similar episode in the district recently, raising fresh concerns about misuse of the emergency chain and overnight security on the route.