Day after, train driver says one man held onto track, other tried to pull him away

Police said Shamsher was seen trying to pull away Arvind who held on to the track in an apparent attempt to end his life as the train approached. Ultimately, both died.

Officials said that both of them climbed up to the tracks in the evening, probably to consume liquor or simply to hang around, as the place is frequented by residents of the area after work.

It is not clear what happened, but the train driver old the police that he saw one man holding onto the track, and the other desperately trying to pull him away. However, Arvind did not let go and a while later, both of them were hit by the train which was coming from Ambala and was bound for Amb Andaura in Himachal Pradesh.

The police suspect that both were in an inebriated condition, although no liquor bottle was found on the spot. However, some tablets were found in Arvind’s pocket.

Arvind was reportedly under depression due to strained relations with his family ever since he married against their wishes several years ago. He had left his Phase 11 residence to live in a rented accommodation with his wife at Kambali village, the police said.

Both men were the sole bread-winners in their families. While Arvind is survived by his wife and a six-year-old son, Shamsher is survived by his wife and three children: a daughter and two sons in their teenage.

“Shamsher was a hard-working man, and was trying to save money to get his daughter married. His two sons  study in school,” said his friend Darbara Singh.

A relative of Arvind said his relations with his family had been strained for the last several years. “When he was young, his father died of tuberculosis. Fate has now dealt a similar blow to his wife and son,” said the relative who did not wish to be named.