War of words breaks out between TMC, rlys over 9 RPF personnel testing positive for COVID-19

A war of words has erupted between the TMC and the railways over nine RPF personnel testing positive for coronavirus in West Bengal, with the ruling party in the state questioning how the infected men travelled during the nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the deadly disease.

The personnel were part of a 28-member Railway Protection Force (RPF) contingent from the Kharagpur division of the South Eastern Railway (SER), which had returned to the state from Delhi with a consignment of arms and ammunition aboard a parcel express train on April 14, the railways said.

After a constable, who was part of the contingent, developed coronavirus-like symptoms, his swab was tested at a government facility in West Bengal on Thursday and the results were positive.

Raising concerns over the development, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien tweeted, saying, "Getting disturbing news. 9 #RPF personnel test + for #Covid19 in Bengal. 6 in Kharagpur, 1 each Mecheda/Uluberia. They all came to Kolkata from Delhi on 14 April by train. Why were positive patients traveling during #lockdown? WHO SENT THEM ? Screening? How many people did they met (sic)?"