Gujarat: Stones pelted at Vande Bharat near Surat; UP Governor Anandiben Patel safe

Surat, Aug 25 (IANS) Stones were pelted at the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat Express near Utran station in Surat on Tuesday evening while former Gujarat Chief Minister and Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel was travelling on the train, damaging the windows of two coaches.

Patel remained unharmed as she was seated in the Executive Coach.

The incident involving Train No. 22961 took place between Utran and Kosad around 6:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., according to preliminary information.

The glass windows of coaches C-6 and C-10 were damaged in the stone-pelting. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) reached the location after receiving information about the incident and detained a man, aged around 30, from near the railway tracks.

Preliminary questioning indicated that the man was heavily intoxicated. Police and RPF officials were questioning him to establish his identity and ascertain his involvement and the circumstances behind the stone-pelting.

There was no immediate report of any passenger being injured, and Patel was safe, according to reports.

The incident occurred as the train was travelling towards Ahmedabad after departing from Mumbai.

Police and railway authorities are continuing their investigation to determine whether the detained man was responsible for the attack and whether anyone else was involved.

Patel, who has served as Uttar Pradesh Governor since 2019 and is the state’s longest-serving governor, is reportedly in Gujarat during a 10-day leave from August 17 to 26. Reports said the leave was taken for personal and family engagements.

During her stay, she visited parts of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, including Silvassa and Daman.

On August 23, Patel attended the Monsoon Festival-2026 at Devka Beach in Daman, where she called for greater awareness among children and young people about the harmful effects of substance abuse.

Patel’s presence on the Vande Bharat comes against the backdrop of her ongoing visit to Gujarat during her leave. She is expected to return to Uttar Pradesh after the leave period ends on August 26.

–IANS

mys/uk