New Delhi: A major controversy has erupted after videos surfaced online showing filthy, poorly maintained train coaches transporting Border Security Force (BSF) personnel while en route to Jammu and Kashmir for Amarnath Yatra deployment. The footage, reportedly recorded by the jawans themselves, triggered a public outcry and widespread condemnation on social media, where users questioned the treatment of India’s frontline forces.
In the wake of the backlash, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw acted swiftly, suspending four officials from the Northeast Frontier Railway Zone, three senior section engineers and a coaching depot officer from the Alipurduar Division. The minister also ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident, asserting that “the dignity of our security forces is non-negotiable and such negligence will not be tolerated.”
Initially, the Northeast Frontier Railway had dismissed the allegations in a social media post, claiming the reports were unfounded. However, as pressure mounted following the viral videos and reactions from across the country, the ministry reversed course.
To rectify the situation, the Railway Ministry arranged a fresh special train with improved facilities for the BSF troops. The new train is scheduled to depart from Udaipur station in Agartala at 9 PM on Wednesday.
The incident involves approximately 1,200 BSF personnel from 13 companies, who were scheduled to board a special train on June 6. The train, meant to pick up troops from multiple locations in Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal, was finally made available on June 9. Upon inspection, jawans found the coaches to be in an “unacceptable and unhygienic” state, leading them to document and share their experience.
These troops form part of the Centre’s larger deployment of over 42,000 personnel, 581 CAPF companies, for the 2025 Amarnath Yatra, scheduled from July 3 to August 9. Heightened security measures have been put in place for this year’s pilgrimage, particularly following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people were killed.
The Railway Ministry has promised accountability and reforms to ensure such disrespect to India’s armed forces is never repeated.